Baphumelele - OSU Summer Camp 2017

In December, eight occupational therapy students will be traveling to Baphumelele , a children's home in Khayelitsha outside of Cape Town, South Africa.  The students will be assisting OSU OT alumna and South African native, Samantha Sanderson, in running group therapy sessions with approximately 80 children at Baphumelele.  Samantha currently volunteers her time at the children's home as an Occupational Therapist and helped run a holliday program last December.  She has recongnized an opportunity for a mutually beneficial relationship between the children's home and OSU OT students and hopes to continue bringing students to both learn and contribute in working with vulnerable children each December. 


The Khayelitsha community is afflicted by the largest HIV/Aids epidemic in the world, an increasing number of orphaned and vulnerable children, and unemployment rates of 54.1%+.  Other barriers among the children include developmental delays caused by trauma from losing caregivers, witnessing violence at early ages and delays secondary to HIV infection. 

December can be a difficult time for children at Baphumelele.  While the children's school peers enjoy holiday treats, gifts and time with family, Baphumelele children often stay at the children's home with few opportunities for stimulation and leisure.  The children's home struggles to meet basic needs for food and shelter and luxuries such as craft materials and outings are impossible to afford without outside donations.  Furthermore, most staff take leave to see their own families over Christmas, and so there are even fewer hands available to help with the task of engaging the children.   

Our therapeutic group sessions will aim to provide opportunities for connection and engagement with fellow children and volunteer staff, opportunities for fine and visual motor development, social skill development and cognitive stimulation. Groups will also foster opportunities for leisure and enjoyment for mental health benefits, emotional support and self regulation using positive outlets to deal with unfortunate life circumstances.

We are asking for your support so that we can provide the tools and materials necessary to make these groups possible!

Cost include include:

Paint
Paintbrushes
T-shirts to paint
Cardboard
Bells
Pipe cleaners
Shaving cream
Food coloring
Glue
Parachute
Bubbles
Bean bags
Other motor development products as seen fit
Lunches during camp including sandwiches and drinks
Transport for an outing

Any excess funds will be donated to the children's home to pay for food and electricity!

Thank you from all of the OT students!


Back: Taylor, Catherine, Laini
Front: Allie, Stef, Liz, Shannon
Not pictured: Sam & Joy