This special space is set to make a meaningful impact on the emotional and developmental well-being of young patients undergoing long-term treatments at the hospital, says the organisation. 

"As Organon, we are proud to have partnered with Reach For A Dream since our inception in 2021. Our collaboration began with a laptop drive, followed by our sponsorship of virtual reality goggles for hospitalised children, enabling them to experience their dreams despite their circumstances. Now, we are excited to take our partnership a step further by creating a dedicated dream room for children and their parents to engage in play together while in the hospital. We believe that children should continue to experience the joy of play, even during illness, as it is a vital aspect of their development. We hope that this newly built dream room will provide the play and laughter that children truly need during their hospital stay," says Mokgadi Mashishi, Africa Access Markets Director at Organon.

The Dream Room will feature a range of exciting activities and equipment aimed at both entertaining and stimulating young minds, including virtual reality headsets, PlayStation 5 consoles, interactive TV setups and a variety of educational development activities. In addition to fun and entertainment, these features are designed to support the holistic well-being of children as they navigate the challenges of their treatments, says Reach For A Dream. 

"We are thrilled to partner with Organon to bring this Dream Room to life at Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital. For children enduring long and difficult treatments, these spaces offer more than just entertainment — they provide a much-needed refuge where children can express their creativity, discover joy and forget about their illnesses, even if just for a moment. This Dream Room will spark imagination and hope in countless young hearts, and we are truly grateful to Organon for helping us make this dream a reality," says Julia Sotirianakos, CEO of Reach For A Dream. 

The organisation says that the Dream Room initiative doesn't just benefit the children; it also offers an invaluable learning experience for the Reach For A Dream interns who will run the room. These interns participate in a 12-month Early Childhood Development (ECD) learning programme, gaining hands-on, practical training that prepares them for future careers in early childhood education and care. This dual focus on children's well-being and intern development ensures that the Dream Room continues to be a space of growth, both for its young visitors and those working to support them.

Reach For A Dream concludes, the Dream Room at Rahima Moosa is part of Reach For A Dream's broader mission to uplift children facing life-threatening illnesses by offering them moments of joy, hope, and empowerment. With each Dream Room, the organisation seeks to create a positive environment where children can play, learn, and grow, despite the challenges they face.

For more information, visit www.reachforadream.org.za. You can also follow Reach For A Dream on Facebook, LinkedIn, X or Instagram.

*Image courtesy of contributor