Mahatma Gandhi said: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

When members of the Lowveld Medical Arts and Cultural Society (LMACS) held their first fundraising event three years ago, they could not have imagined the impact their gesture of kindness would have.

The funds from the registered non-profit organisation’s latest fundraising gala dinner, held in August, were carefully used to better the lives of many Lowveld children, organisations and families. Now, the LMACS team is ready to reveal an exceptional project aimed at improving mental health in children.

LMACS is made up of members from the Lowveld medical fraternity, blessed with extraordinary artistic talents, who selflessly give their time to participate in a concert, art exhibition and dinner that enables them to give back to society while showcasing their talents.

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An astonishing R834 550 donation from Sun Pharma, announced at the event, catapulted the humble beginnings of LMACS to the next level. Company CEO Desmond Brothers said in the spirit of Sun Pharma’s mission to reach people and touch lives, they were honoured to contribute funds to a cause in which paediatric patients are assisted.

In a surprise gesture, Dr Dumani Kula, CEO of Busamed, announced that the hospital group would match Sun Pharma’s donation in 2024/25 – not in cash, but in surgeries for patients referred by the LMACS steering committee.

Assistance brings happiness

Dr Attie van Wyk, the chairperson of LMACS, told Lowvelder much has happened since their event.

“Shortly after the event, we contributed to the MJ van Staden Special Trust. MJ sustained a spinal cord injury during a rugby game in July 2024 and needs expensive medical treatment. The babies at Grace Baby Haven and Bettie’s Haven received support from LMACS after site inspections were done.”

With the support of Mozambik Restaurant’s Garth Snyman and Breet Braai’s Lomar and Elmarie Breet, a longer-term commitment was made to Bettie’s Haven and Huis Betlehem, which are now treated to burger Fridays.

Volunteers André and Lezanne Cronjé head up the Friday deliveries. “The excitement when they see our vehicle arrive is tangible and unmatched. It is heart-warming to bring joy to the children who can’t wait for their treats,” said André.

During December, many organisations were supported with food for the festive season. When Van Wyk inspected Bettie’s Haven, a lack of proper cupboards and shelving for the children’s clothes was identified. “A few weeks ago, we managed to deliver a freight container to Bettie’s, which will now be adapted to fit the purpose,” Van Wyk said.

Medical and mental health

On the medical front, a few ad hoc cases were dealt with, such as providing intravenous food to a patient. Busamed has kept its promise and several operations and medical procedures have been performed at the facility.

Van Wyk said the sustainability of the project is important.

“We have identified a void in the support for children with any form of mental health and learning difficulties. To keep momentum, LMACS recently presented a strategic plan to a leading business role player and we await the outcome of a decision on whether they would like to be involved.”

The initiative aims to identify and address the challenges underprivileged children face by providing access to essential services, including educational psychology evaluations, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, paediatric consultations, and, when necessary, chronic medication management.

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Untreated mental health and learning challenges can significantly impact children’s lives, leading to poor academic performance, difficulty with social interactions and a reduced quality of life. Early identification and interventions are crucial in mitigating these effects.

Access to specialised services is limited to children whose parents or guardians face financial constraints. This medical field is costly and the project aims to make it more accessible.

With the assistance of a paediatrician, Dr Carine Smit and psychiatrist Dr Caro de Witt, LMACS is committed to making the project viable. A preliminary budget, after consulting schools in the area, indicates a need for R1.7m per year.

On one of the Cronjés’ recent Friday burger runs, a philanthropic couple accompanied them and were so touched by the initiative that they immediately donated R60 000 to kick-start the mental health project. Industry players like Van Heerdens and Village pharmacies have committed to providing medication at cost.

Next event

The LMACS event cannot be held annually as it takes hours of preparation to make sure a top-class occasion is presented. Doctors, specialists and health practitioners have thus opted to rather host the event every two years.

But LMACS will host a secret event in May to create awareness for the scheduled 2026 extravaganza. Details will be published in Lowvelder as soon as arrangements have been finalised.

LMACS is a registered non-profit organisation and contributions can be made into their bank account: Lowveld Medical Arts and Culture Society (NPC), Nedbank current account number 1295153831.