Books help St Francis patient heal
Reading books helped Le Roux keep his mind busy while a patient at the centre.
The St Francis Care Centre’s Book Nook helped one of its patients, Charl le Roux (54), to keep his mind busy and heal.
Le Roux, now a volunteer at the Book Nook, explained that he was on his deathbed when he arrived at the centre with leukaemia last June.
His cancer nightmare started five years ago after he simply fell one day and started feeling sick.
“I was then diagnosed with leukaemia, and my health has been up and down since. I went to St Francis last year because I could no longer look after myself. But after receiving treatments and nutritious meals at the centre, I started getting better.
“I see the doctor regularly and respond well to the medication. I went from a size small to an extra large,” said Le Roux, now moving into his own place in Benoni.
He has always loved reading and began reading books from the Book Nook to keep his mind busy.
“Literature is important and a good way to learn. Reading kept me focused at the time.”
The manager of the Book Nook, Debbie Mendes, asked Le Roux in November if he would like to become a volunteer.
“I started assisting in November, packing books. Even though I’m leaving the centre now, I will continue volunteering at the Book Nook,” Le Roux said, adding that he enjoys factual books.
St Francis’s Book Nook offers various books at affordable prices and is pivotal in raising funds for the centre’s day-to-day expenses.
Community members are welcome to donate books to the centre, especially children’s books.
The centre sells books at the Bokkie Park Food and Craft Market on the first Saturday of every month.
Community members can also visit the centre on 30 Olivia Road from 08:00 to 15:00 on weekdays.
For more information, call 011 894 4151.
Also Read: St Francis patients blessed on World Day of the Sick
