LIFE HEALTHCARE, one of South Africa’s leading hospital groups, along with their vendors have donated goods to the value of R600 000 to the Knysna Initiate for Learning and Teaching (KILT). These goods will be distributed to 11 300 students and 13 non-fee paying schools within the Knysna Municipality and includes relief packs for the teaching, administration and maintenance staff at these schools.

“The devastating Knysna fires have left many families struggling to rebuild their homes and care for their loved ones. We at Life Healthcare hope that this donation to KILT, a public benefit organisation, will go a long way in offering relief to the youth of this community and the schools that support them,” says Life Healthcare Southern Africa CEO, Lourens Bekker.

KILT was established to work with 13 non-fee paying schools that fall within the Knysna Municipal district. Together with supporters, they raise funds to meet the urgent needs of schools in the area so that there is a systematic approach to improving the education, knowledge and environment of the children. Around 11 300 children are involved in the initiative, with many affected by the recent fires that swept through parts of Knysna and the Garden Route.

Life Healthcare’s donation comprises of 12 000 personal relief packs for students which include face masks to prevent smoke inhalation, eye drops, and aqueous cream for body parts that may have suffered exposure to the fires, as well as lip ice, and bottles of hand sanitiser.

Along with these individual packs, all 13 schools involved in the initiative will receive nebulising equipment and consumables, asthma inhalers, dressing packs for wounds and antiseptic wipes.

KILT representative, Gill Marcus said the organisation will distribute the donated goods to the learners through their school principals and teachers. “We are extremely grateful for Life Healthcare’s quick and generous response to provide much-needed health care support to those affected by the devastating fires that have raged through Knysna and its environs”, she said.

“Life Healthcare and its suppliers are pleased to have contributed to this initiative, and would like to thank our suppliers and vendors who have worked with us and allowed us to make a difference in the broader Knysna community. We would also like to thank KILT and commend them for the work they do in the community,” says Bekker.

During the fires in the area, Life Healthcare cared for state patients who were evacuated from local provincial hospitals and admitted to Life Knysna Private Hospital. “Our hospital staff worked tirelessly during the Knysna fire when they themselves were at risk of being evacuated. We thank all our Knysna and Mossel Bay staff, nurses and doctors who contributed to caring for their community during this disaster”, concluded Bekker.

Life Healthcare commends all stakeholders - state, private sector, military, emergency services and doctors - for the collaborative efforts during the fires to ensure that medical needs were served under extremely challenging circumstances.