For out-of-town children undergoing distressing cancer treatment in East London, the CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation houses are a comfortable – and comforting – place to stay, especially now that one of them has been brightened up with more than 45 mosaic butterflies.The eye-catching artworks were donated by mosaic artist Lorna Gardner who, along with about 20 of her students and other local artists, made them for a national community service project competition last year.
“Eleven mosaics from East London made it into the top 20 and were sent to the Little Fighters Cancer Trust in Cape Town, but we donated the rest to CHOC,” said Gardner, who gives mixed-media lessons in her Nahoon Valley studio.
“We wanted to keep the rest in the Eastern Cape so we asked CHOC East London if they wanted them and Debbie Kleinenberg was thrilled to bits.”
What Gardner did not know is that butterflies bear a deep significance for CHOC.
“Our remembrance services always have butterflies. They are beautiful yet families often have to let go. It’s about coping without the beauty which is no longer with them. We put a butterfly on the photograph of those who pass away,” said Kleinenberg.
She said the first CHOC house was set up about seven years ago and another was added to the Edge Road property last year.
“They have 21 beds between them and provide free accommodation, food and transport to rural children and their parents or caregivers while they are undergoing cancer treatment in Frere or Life Beacon Bay hospitals.
“It makes a traumatic time as easy as possible especially with the help of the CHOC social worker.”
Gardner said she and her mosaic maestros are working on another project to “add sparkle” to the CHOC houses. A large perspex cow, which also has significance in the history of the organisation and is currently outside the homes, will soon be placed on a platform in the front garden.
lInternational Childhood Cancer Day is on Monday, February 15. — barbarah@dispatch. co.za
Mosaics add comfort to children
The eye-catching artworks were donated by mosaic artist Lorna Gardner who, along with about 20 of her students and other local artists, made them for a national community service project competition last year.
“Eleven mosaics from East London made it into the top 20 and were sent to the Little Fighters Cancer Trust in Cape Town, but we donated the rest to CHOC,” said Gardner, who gives mixed-media lessons in her Nahoon Valley studio.
“We wanted to keep the rest in the Eastern Cape so we asked CHOC East London if they wanted them and Debbie Kleinenberg was thrilled to bits.”
What Gardner did not know is that butterflies bear a deep significance for CHOC.
“Our remembrance services always have butterflies. They are beautiful yet families often have to let go. It’s about coping without the beauty which is no longer with them. We put a butterfly on the photograph of those who pass away,” said Kleinenberg.
She said the first CHOC house was set up about seven years ago and another was added to the Edge Road property last year.
“They have 21 beds between them and provide free accommodation, food and transport to rural children and their parents or caregivers while they are undergoing cancer treatment in Frere or Life Beacon Bay hospitals.
“It makes a traumatic time as easy as possible especially with the help of the CHOC social worker.”
Gardner said she and her mosaic maestros are working on another project to “add sparkle” to the CHOC houses. A large perspex cow, which also has significance in the history of the organisation and is currently outside the homes, will soon be placed on a platform in the front garden.
lInternational Childhood Cancer Day is on Monday, February 15. — barbarah@dispatch. co.za
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