Barberton children turn colourful heads for CANSA
Barberton Nursery School turned a CANSA Shavathon into a colourful fundraising success, with children and parents joining hands to support those affected by cancer.
When little heads are covered in bright colours, it is usually a sign of fun and excitement. At Barberton Nursery School, however, the colourful hairstyles carried a much more meaningful message.
The school opened its doors to the Barberton CANSA volunteers after principal Monique Heunis invited them to bring their Shavathon fundraising initiative to the school. The result was a morning filled with colourful hair, excited children and much-needed support for the fight against cancer.
CANSA Shavathon is an annual fundraising initiative of the Cancer Association of South Africa, aimed at raising funds to support the organisation's cancer awareness, prevention and support programmes. Participants traditionally have their hair sprayed in bright colours or shaved in solidarity with those affected by cancer, while making a donation towards the cause.
The initiative has become a familiar part of the South African calendar, usually taking place around February and March. For many people, however, Shavathon represents much more than simply a colourful day. It is an opportunity to show solidarity with cancer patients and their families while contributing towards services that are desperately needed.
In Barberton, unforeseen circumstances meant that the local volunteers were unable to hold the Shavathon at its usual time. That did not stop them from looking for another way to support the cause. When Monique extended an invitation to the CANSA volunteers to visit the nursery school, they were only too happy to accept.
According to Christelle Strauss, chairlady of the Barberton CANSA volunteer group, the response from the school was amazing. "What started as a colourful activity quickly became a meaningful fundraising effort, with parents also contributing additional donations".
For CANSA, every contribution means another step towards providing vital services to people affected by cancer. Christelle said the positive response has encouraged the Barberton volunteers to take the initiative further. The group has decided to approach other nursery schools in the town to see whether they would also like to participate. Instead of allowing the missed Shavathon period to end the fundraising effort, the volunteers are taking the cause directly into the community.
It is a particularly important initiative at a time when cancer continues to affect families across South Africa. Behind every diagnosis is a person, a family and a network of people whose lives can change in an instant. CANSA plays an important role in supporting those affected, providing information, awareness programmes and support services. Fundraising is essential to help sustain this work.
For the small Barberton volunteer group, however, there is only so much that can be achieved alone. At present, only four volunteers are involved with CANSA in Barberton. While they are determined to continue supporting the community, their numbers make it difficult to reach every school and organisation they would like to visit.
The volunteers would particularly like to take the Shavathon initiative to primary and high schools in the area. Before doing so, however, they are hoping to find additional people who are willing to volunteer their time and help them expand the campaign.
The response from Barberton Nursery School has shown what can happen when schools and community organisations work together. Cancer does not discriminate according to age, background or circumstance. Most people know someone who has been affected by the disease, whether it is a family member, friend, colleague or neighbour.
That makes community involvement particularly important.
The Barberton CANSA volunteers may be small in number, but their willingness to find alternative ways of raising funds demonstrates the spirit behind the organisation. They are hoping that other nursery schools will follow the example set by Barberton Nursery School and invite them to bring the colourful Shavathon initiative to their learners.
They are also appealing to members of the Barberton community who may be willing to volunteer and help them reach more people. For the CANSA volunteers, the message is simple: the fight against cancer does not happen only on a particular day of the year. It is a cause that needs support throughout the year.
In Barberton, four dedicated volunteers are doing what they can to make sure that support continues.
Mariana Balt
Liz Thorne
Naomi Roebert
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