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St Paul’s: Enhancing Lives

Helen Forster



“If you can give anyone happiness then all your hard work is worthwhile,” says Gabrielle McDonald, our Head Girl. Her extensive work at both the Windhoek Central Hospital Children’s Cancer Ward and the Shoebox Project, was recognised last year when she won the “Standard Bank Outreach Trophy”.

Gabrielle, known as Gabi, has worked at the Cancer Ward for nearly six years. This year, the first gathering for the Cancer Ward group was “The Circle of Hope”. It encouraged the volunteers to go out to communities and discuss the dreaded disease cancer and how it can be prevented. At this meeting the importance of fundraising was also emphasised. It is crucial to find cures to lessen the burden of cancer on families and patients.

The Student Management Council members of St Paul’s College recently took part in the Spray-a-thon and “takkie” day fundraiser. It was organised by the Windhoek Junior City Council and involved students paying to have their hair sprayed in a variety of vivid colours. The money collected will contribute to the completion of the “Children with Cancer” in Namibia (CHICA) house, where patients and family members are able to stay between the treatments. This is truly a great achievement, as the children can now go through extremely painful treatment with the support of their family. Formerly many of their parents were only able to stay with them for the first two weeks at the ward. After this, some only saw their parents every few months.

Gabi and other volunteers visit the children on the 8th floor of the Central Hospital. They do different activities every week. These include playing games or doing a craft. They have to be especially cautious with hygiene as any infections jeopardise the children’s lives. They therefore ensure that all items they bring along are clean. The volunteers also use hand sanitizer before the visits.

Despite their suffering, the children are determined to fully enjoy their lives. Gabi said, “They laugh, play and are naughty, just like any other children. It’s truly inspiring.” She loves working at the ward. However, occasionally, it is extremely challenging, especially when children she has known and worked with, pass away.

Gabi became involved with the Shoebox Project in 2013. This programme donates hundreds of boxes containing gloves, scarves, beanies, toothbrushes, toothpaste, face-cloths, sweets and notes of encouragement to schools in need. These schools are further provided with necessities such as food and bedding. According to Gabi, “the organisation of the annual donation can be logistically challenging.” The two weeks during which the boxes are packed and wrapped are hectic for the students involved in the project.

Upon arrival at a school, the shoeboxes are handed to each class by the St Paul’s students, who are given the opportunity to interact with the principal, teachers and pupils. Many school have been visited: the Petrus Vries Primary School and Tsumis Farm Primary School, both located south of Rehoboth.

It was at one of these excursions that Gabi had an unforgettable memory. She asked one of the children what their favourite item in the box was. “The toothbrush and toothpaste,” was the reply. This made her realise how privileged she is and how much of a need there is for compassion towards disadvantaged communities in our country.