Sunflower Children's Hospice

01/09/2026

19/08/2026

Today has been a very dark day. A day of emotion - tears and anger.
We were heartbroken to learn that one of our Community adolescents had been murdered. A beautiful young woman, wonderfully cared for by her loving grandmother, had her youth and loveliness destroyed. Anger that she was killed for no reason and her precious young life suddenly cut short. Distressed that our children are exposed to so much violence and lack of respect for human life. Saddened that her young sister and her Granny must face the future without her. Furious at the manner of her death. Hoping that the murderer or murderers will be found swiftly before they can do this to another person.
Plesae pray for her sweet soul and for those who love her. She will never be forgotten. Rest gently beloved child.

17/08/2026

Honouring the children, families, staff, volunteers and supporters - one story at a time. St Nicholas - sunflower is woven into the history not only of the Free state but also of South Africa.

Image: Joan Marston and Austin Marchand visit the National Museum in Bloemfontein (Image courtesy of Derek de Bruyn) As Sunflower Children’s Hospice approach

16/08/2026

In July, our incredible children’s hospice Community Team made exactly 888 home care visits in Bloemfontein and Botshabelo! Most of those visits were on foot - our dedicated Community Caregivers mostly walk from home to home. Truly a labour of great love.
In many cultures, 888 represents an endless, unbroken circle of support and compassion —and that is exactly what each Community Care Worker together with their Supervisor Me Olga Molahloe and our palliative driver Thomas Selibe provides.
Thanks to you donations, our team can deliver an infinite amount of love, pain relief, and comfort directly to children and families when they need it most. Many families struggle financially and having a child with palliative care needs makes them even more vulnerable.
To every single donor who supports this incredible work with our wonderful team : Thank you. You are the heartbeat of these 888 visits.
If you would like to help us continue to reach even more children and families you can support our community team by donating towards funding for salaries, diesel for our vehicles, and shoes to support feet that walk many kilometres each week.
Bank; FNB College Court
Name: St Nicholas Children's Hospice Trust.
Account No: 62067671232
Sunflower Children's Hospice TrustBloemnuus ExpressMy City Bloemfontein@followers

16/08/2026

Our little ones are so grateful Corrie Geldenhuys for making and gifting these lovely soft and cuddly blankets to keep them warm, as well as a beautiful cot cover.. Thank you so much Corrie for these gifts of love!

16/08/2026

What happens when a thirteen-year-old girl finds herself caught between life and death? With seven days to understand what happened and decide her fate? That's the question at the heart of South African author Werner Schmidt’s novel, Chelsea Glitter and the Graveyard on the Hill.

The Young Adult Magical Realism novel begins with a tragic car accident that splits the Glitter family between the land of the living and limbo. Seven days later, Chelsea finds herself in a mysterious graveyard where a door appears inside an ancient yew tree, fog follows her between the headstones and childhood stories start to take life.

Along the way, she encounters a memorable cast of graveyard keepers, ghosts, gargoyles, eccentric characters and even a surprising versions of Shakespeare.

The story’s inspiration began when Schmidt was only five years old. After losing a school friend, he asked his parents what happens after we die... a question that lingered with him for forty years. The novel was also influenced by a game he created with his daughter, Petro-Mari, fourteen years ago. That game became a novelty enjoyed by more than 3,000 people before eventually evolving into the novel.

Drawing on two decades of helping people navigate grief, identity and major life changes, Schmidt uses Chelsea’s journey to explore the idea that healing begins when we stop avoiding what hurts and embrace acceptance. He hopes that readers discover that fear, anxiety and uncertainty can become gateways to courage, growth, joy and even adventure!

Aimed primarily at readers aged 11 to 16, Schmidt believes however, that the story will appeal to anyone who enjoys fables, magical realism and coming-of-age adventures. Parents, coaches, therapists and people experiencing grief or personal reinvention may also find its themes particularly relatable.

For Bloemfontein readers specifically, Schmidt hopes the greatest connection will come from knowing that one of their own created this story.

More importantly, he wants readers to consider the stories they carry themselves and find the courage to bring them into the world. Buy the book / find bookstores: https://wernerschmidt.co.za/books/

Free preview of the opening chapters: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/fk6s4hp3sq
Both links live on wernerschmidt.co.za, alongside more about his work in leadership, culture, storytelling, and music.

11/08/2026

People often express surprise when they see how happy our children are and how they love to play, sing and create. That is because we see them as children first, rather than as patients. They happen to have a condition that affects their health but they have the same needs as every child- and play is a very high on that list! So they are not patients , this is not a hospital, and these children are "normal" children - with a diagnosis. They deserve the best possible quality of life- no matter the length of their lives. So come and play, laugh , sing and dance with them!