Have you talked to your kids about organ donation? Here’s how to start
The ‘Orgamites’ are visiting Gauteng schools, turning organ donation into a topic kids can understand and families can discuss during this organ donation awareness month.
Transplant Education for Living Legacies (TELL) in Magaliesig has introduced the Orgamites Mighty Education Programme to Gauteng, bringing with it a playful yet powerful approach to organ donation awareness.
The initiative, already active in thousands of schools worldwide, uses colourful, organ-inspired characters to help children understand their bodies, healthy habits, and the gift of organ donation.
“The Orgamites introduce organ donation through children—the best messengers for change,” said Stella de Kock, managing director of TELL.
“When children learn about their bodies in a playful way, they take those lessons home, sparking conversations that might never happen otherwise. Over time, these small, child-led discussions can chip away at silence, shift perceptions, and ultimately inspire families to say ‘yes’ to donation when it matters most.”
The programme is designed to travel beyond school walls. With take-home activity packs, stories and interactive resources, children become natural conversation starters.
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“Rather than parents forcing the topic, it’s children asking questions and sharing what they’ve discovered, turning an uncomfortable subject into an everyday conversation.”
Teachers and healthcare professionals are also part of the rollout. A free webinar has been made available to guide them on using the toolkits in classrooms and clinics.
“Schools shape habits and values early on, making them the ideal setting for normalising organ donation,” she added.
The webinar recording is available here: Watch online.
While the Orgamites were first launched in countries such as Canada and the UK, TELL has tailored the programme for South Africa.
“International rollouts have shown that when children feel ownership of the message, families listen,” said De Kock.
“South Africa has built on this by localising content, using our transplant statistics and partnering with healthcare workers in communities. This ensures the programme doesn’t feel imported but rooted in the realities families face here.”
For families hesitant about the subject, the Orgamites provide a softer entry point. “The toolkit lowers barriers by approaching the topic with joy rather than fear,” De Kock said.
“By presenting organ donation as a life-giving, heroic act, the Orgamites reframe the conversation into one of hope, kindness, and possibility.”
As Organ Donor Awareness Month draws attention to the urgent need for donors, TELL’s vision goes further.
“Our vision is to see organ donation become a natural part of everyday conversations, whether around dinner tables, in classrooms, or at community events. Ordinary people can join this movement simply by talking to their families, supporting awareness campaigns, and standing proudly as advocates for the gift of life.”
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