Centurion learners give hospital wards artistic makeover
The Sutherland High School learners painted the paediatric ward to make children and their families feel welcome.
Learners and staff of Sutherland High School in Centurion recently completed an outreach that transformed the emergency and paediatric wards at Kalafong tertiary hospital.
This initiative aimed to enhance the hospital’s environment and create a more welcoming and positive space for patients and their families during challenging times.
School spokesperson Cabangile Dlamini said the project was inspired by a request of Kalafong Hospital’s head of emergency Prof Vidya Lalloo.
She said Lalloo invited the Suthies Art Club learners and their art teacher to enhance the paediatric waiting area with their artistic skills.
Art teacher Noko Mello said the learners embraced the opportunity and extended the project to other areas to maximise the impact.
“Through close collaboration with Professor Vidya Lalloo and her team, we identified areas in the emergency and paediatric wards that would benefit most from revitalisation,” he said.
The project took several weeks of planning and was executed in an intensive two-and-a-half-day from October 4 to 6.
Image: Supplied
Mello said working within a limited timeframe presented challenges, but the commitment from everyone involved was inspiring.
The project included several highlights that impacted the hospital environment.
In the emergency ward, learners repainted and installed informative signs for each room.
“One of the most memorable accomplishments was the aquarium-themed mural in the paediatric waiting area,” said Mello.
He said grades 8 to 10 learners worked diligently to create a vibrant scene of dolphins, starfish, and a playful depiction of SpongeBob SquarePants chasing jellyfish through colourful seaweeds and shells.
Image: Supplied
“The underwater theme was chosen for its calming and vibrant appeal, which created a welcoming experience for children and families alike.”
Mello said the learners were divided into teams based on their creative strengths and worked together to bring the vision to life.
He said they were able to learn new art and time management skills because of the project’s time constraints.
“The outreach not only enriched the hospital’s environment but also fostered a deep sense of gratitude and social responsibility among the students, allowing them to witness firsthand the impact of their creative efforts,” said Mello.
However, the outreach did not go without challenges.
The team faced logistics issues, as transport and scheduling had to accommodate school activities, sports events, and the hospital’s operational hours.
Mello said working in a functional hospital required the learners to be mindful of noise and patient activity.
He said safety measures were taken as students navigated the unfamiliar environment.
“To overcome some of the challenges, the team remained adaptable and tackled obstacles with clear communication and teamwork.”
Looking to the future, Dlamini expressed a desire to nurture an ongoing partnership with Kalafong Hospital and expand the project to additional areas.
Image: Supplied
“We hope to involve more sponsors and extend our efforts to additional areas, which will contribute to making Kalafong a model government hospital with a warm, uplifting atmosphere,” she said.
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Dlamini added that this outreach project taught the learners valuable lessons about teamwork, gratitude, and the ability to make a meaningful impact.
“It also helped them hone technical skills and understand how their creativity could transform a space.”
Professor Lalloo thanked the team for accepting the challenge of beautifying the emergency ward.
She said the team’s tireless effort and thoughtful planning did not go unnoticed and are very much appreciated.
*Please note this article has been amended
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