Green Light for Renewable Energy
South Africa has always been well-known for being rich in natural resources. Traditionally, we tend to think of natural resources in terms of minerals, but in the midst of an energy crisis, we cannot ignore the importance of wind and sunlight! Certain areas in South Africa are ideally positioned for the production of wind energy […]
Read MoreTalk of the Transition Town
When I first heard about the concept of a transition town, I pictured hippies with long, un-kept hair dancing barefoot around a fire, rejecting all forms of modern technology and anything synthetic or non-organic. Tie-dye, uncalled-for rebellion and just plain weird were the words that came to mind. I wasn’t ready to share ideologies with […]
Read MoreLanguage Challenges in South Africa
Salibonani, Molo, Avuwani, Sanibona, Hallo, Abusheni, Lumela, Thobela, Dumela, Hello, Sanibonani… Confused? Confused is exactly what South Africa is when it comes to language in education. With 11 official languages (you now know how to say ‘Hello’ in all 11 of them!), it is little wonder that one of the many challenges faced by the […]
Read MoreChild Life: A Normal Boy
John*, a seven year old boy has been a patient at Red Cross Children’s Hospital for the past four years. John was initially treated for a flame injury when he was a toddler and has been seen on an outpatient basis ever since for therapy and reconstructive surgery. John is consistently accompanied by his mother […]
Read MoreThe Impact of the World Cup on Human Rights
There has been much debate over the impact of the World Cup on South Africa. South Africa winning the bid to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup proved South Africa to truly be the world player of the African continent, a country rich with natural resources and beauty. However, can a country that currently suffers […]
Read MoreChild Life Series: Program Assists with School Re-entry
The Child Life program has recently expanded out of the hospital and into the community by offering a school re-entry program to a 7 year-old girl. Britney* was admitted to the burn unit at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital in Cape Town, after sustaining a significant flame injury to her abdomen, lower arms, and […]
Read MoreThe countdown is over…it is HERE!
And we have lift-off! Cape Town is awash with colour today, the first day of the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa! Cars are covered in flags, driving around honking their horns, the sound of vuvuzuelas provides a constant background noise and the excitement is absolutely at fever pitch! Last night’s Cape Town Welcomes […]
Read MoreChild Life Series: Red Cross Treatment Room Gets a New Look Thanks to Child Life!
In celebration of the US nationally recognized Child Life Month, myself and Caroline (my predecessor) along with oncology unit child life volunteer, Lisa, painted the treatment room on the burn unit at Red Cross Children’s Hospital in Cape Town. The mural includes a 6 foot giraffe, a giant elephant whose trunk became the base of […]
Read MoreTable Mountain: Wonder of the World
The Connect-123 office and many of our international interns’ apartments boast some of the best views of Table Mountain, that magical towering presence that presides over this beautiful city of Cape Town. The New 7 Wonders Foundation is taking international votes to nominate the New 7 Wonders of the World with the philosophy that “Our […]
Read MoreChild Life Series: Ohio University Program a Huge Success
The Child Life Program being run by Connect-123 at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital in Cape Town, reached new heights a the end of 2009 when a group of 12 volunteers from Ohio University provided their much needed services to patients and their families at the hospital during their winter vacation. Having a large number […]
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