2023
*****DEMO PURPOSES ONLY****
The Just Footprints Foundation is a registered Non-Profit organisation, a Public Benefit Organisation with Section 18A status and a Level 4 BEE Contributor. It was founded in February 2008 to meet the need for a unique outdoor camping experience that would provide safe and secure adventures for children with serious health and life challenges.
The founding members of the Just Footprints Foundation are CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa, The Reach For A Dream Foundation (children with life-threatening illnesses), Cotlands (children infected/affected with HIV) and the Hope (Ithemba) Trust (special needs children).These four experienced NPOs have secure relationships with key medical communities and other charitable organisations. All parties have specific interests and expertise in the psycho-social wellbeing of children whose young lives have been interrupted by life threatening illness or some form of trauma such as abuse, abandonment, disability or the loss of parents.
There are a number of youth programmes being offered at various camping sites in South Africa which cater for healthy, active children. Our target children, however, cannot participate due to the lack of wheelchair accessible facilities and appropriate medical support at these venues. The Just Footprints Foundation’s objective is to provide these children, who have been denied normal childhood play, with a camp experience that they would have to forgo due to their challenging circumstances.
‘Camp Footprints’ provides opportunities for these special children to participate in an amazing life-changing adventure, to learn new skills through intentional programming, to develop confidence and enhance their self-esteem in a safe and nurturing ‘fun’ camp environment. Our campers are encouraged to be fearless, to escape, fantasize and be joyful kids once again.
Our ‘Camp Footprints’ will also be unique in that the family or guardians of the children will be invited to attend family, sibling and bereavement camp programmes. The Just Footprints Foundation plans to host siblings and family units who often feel lost and afraid during times of crisis. These camps will focus on spiritual coping mechanisms so often sought by those in pain after the loss of a child/parent/guardian.
The programmes and activities are facilitated by trained staff and young adult volunteers and include a reflective component aimed at helping campers discover, understand and generalise their learning |
