- More than 800 grocery hampers were handed over to patients at Groote Schuur Hospital on Wednesday 13 December.
- Patients were also serenaded with Christmas tunes by the St Timothy’s Christmas choir based in Factreton.
- The initiative started about 10 years ago to “make the patients happy over the Christmas period” and to put a smile on their faces.
It’s beginning to look at lot like Christmas by Canadian singer Michael Bublé proved true at Groote Schuur Hospital on Wednesday 13 December when more than 800 grocery hampers were handed over to patients.
They were also serenaded with Christmas tunes by the St Timothy’s Christmas choir based in Factreton.
Hassan Kajie, chair of the hospital facility board, says 850 hampers were distributed.
He explains that the initiative started about 10 years ago to “make the patients happy over the Christmas period” and to put a smile on their faces.
He says: “Not all patients are well enough to go home. And while we are all celebrating Christmas at home, we felt sorry for the people that are in hospital. We prepare a hamper for every patient that is still in hospital over the Christmas period.
“It brought happiness and smiles to their faces, so we decided to continue with this project.”
Kajie says the hospital provides a portion of the proceeds, but the rest they receive from generous donors.
“Our responsibility is to ensure that every patient gets the best care at the hospital. And to get the best care it must come with love and affection. A happy patient will recover. And it’s our responsibility to make sure that every patient is happy so that they can recover. So, we wish all the patients, that this hamper will instill some happiness within them which will enable them to get better.”
Andriaan Jochems, St Timothy’s Christmas choirmaster, explains that this is their second year that they are part of the initiative.
“We want to help the sick people to give them that extra boost and try to cheer them up. We want to spread the Christmas feeling through music and to remind people what Christmas is all about.”
Patient Craig Visser has been hospitalised for more than a week after suffering a stroke.
Visser says: “I was feeling a bit down and depressed, but when I heard the band play all of that disappeared. This was a lovely gesture.”
Diego April has been in hospital for about two months. He says he felt the Christmas cheer.
“Hearing the music and getting this hamper just puts you in a good mood and helps get the Christmas spirit up.”
Crawford resident Viola Philander says she felt emotional.
“The hospital staff’s service is excellent. They look well after us. I appreciate this hamper and all the lovely gifts.”
