Students celebrate International Kangaroo Care Day

This year International Kangaroo Care Awareness Day was on the 15 May. The fourth year students currently at Kalafong Hospital helped the mothers celebrate when they attended their practical on Tuesday 17 May. The fourth year class contributed money to donate aqueous cream for each baby in the Kalafong KMC ward. They also baked cupcakes topped with the official logo for International Kangaroo Care Awareness Day. Everyone in the ward received a cupcake including the mothers, nurses, doctors, cleaners and security staff. The mothers really enjoyed feeling special, which is much deserved considering the sacrifices they make for their early arrivals. Thank you to the fourth years for your contribution and assistance!

On 16 April the third and fourth year Speech Language Therapy and Audiology students gave their time at the Down Syndrome Day Celebration. The students conducted parent training on topics such as otitis media and the importance of book reading. We promoted the department and discussed concerns and queries with families. They students also helped out at the different food stalls and activities that were available on the day. There was also some time for fun with an obstacle course race in teams of four. The Down Syndrome Association Pretoria/Tshwane sent a thank you for the contribution we provide each year on this day. The day was hot but it was time well spent.

The third and fourth year Speech Language Therapy students attend Zama-Zama day care every second week during their Daspoort practicals (KMP 381 and KMP 483). The day care is in the Zama Zama settlement and focuses on not only preparing the children for school but also feeding them. Our students are conducting teacher training concentrating on communication stimulation techniques. We have had a wonderful response to our efforts not only from the staff and volunteers but also the other disciplines from the University of Pretoria that work with the community. During our visits the teachers identified the need for uniforms. Thanks to Hannah van der Wal and the Vividus Ladies Day Res, we were able to provide each teacher with 4 T-shirts and a little hamper of goodies. We really appreciate their contribution and the teachers were so grateful that we responded to their need. The teachers will be receiving 3 pairs of pants each to finish off their new uniform shortly thanks to the unit for Community Engagement, University of Pretoria.