Jerusalema dance challenge gets Rand Aid staff moving
“In a sense, this was also a chance to relieve some of the stresses of the lockdown period and to celebrate survival of Covid-19.”
Rand Aid’s Ron Smith Care Centre (RSCC) has experienced a challenging time over the past few months.
Local artist Master KG’s Jerusalema has become a global sensation and videos of people dancing to the hit are spreading positivity far and wide.
When enrolled nursing auxiliary Evelyn Shilubane, who works on the River Lodge 3 residential wing of the care centre, first found out about the Jerusalema dance, she thought that RSCC should take up the challenge and promoted the idea to her colleagues.
Charge professional nurse Leanie Bessinger then spread the idea to the staff of the five other wings and dance practices were set up with Debbie Christen, recreational manager, teaching the choreography to various groups.
“Staff from all departments, nursing, housekeeping, kitchen, maintenance, admin and the coffee shop, were encouraged to join in, making this dance challenge a fun and spirit-filled team-building exercise, which really brought the whole care centre community together in such a joyous way,” said Debbie.
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“In a sense, this was also a chance to relieve some of the stresses of the lockdown period and to celebrate survival from Covid-19.”
Even though its elderly and frail residents have handled the restrictions necessitated by the coronavirus pandemic with grace, Matron Avril Maltman said that staff have found themselves working under extreme pressure.
Nevertheless, they are dedicated to providing wonderful and loving care to the residents.
Greg Fine, the husband of Rand Aid’s in-house doctor, Dr Carmella Mielke, assisted with video footage using his drone, and Sister Leanie edited and put together some 59 video clips from staff to create the final version.
“Unity and light relief are much needed in the world right now and I want to put out the challenge to other care centres to join the #JerusalemaDanceChallenge,” she said.
When Zabeth Zühlsdorff, Rand Aid general manager for the advance division, saw the video she was blown away.
“Many thanks to everyone who organised, participated and supported this fantastic initiative. You are an awesome team and I am privileged to work with each and every one of you.”
