Hannah is a four-year-old girl living in Botswana. She loves unicorns, enjoys swimming and painting and has a playful sense of humour!
Hannah also has Cerebral Palsy (CP). 17 million people around the world are diagnosed with CP and with a huge range of symptoms, each presentation is unique. Hannah’s legs are affected and she mainly walks with the help of splints and a walker.
Carly is Hannah’s mum. She has always been a huge advocate for Hannah, fighting for the best care and interventions for her daughter. The family have turned a difficult journey into a source of hope and support for others.
The family have created an excellent resource to promote inclusion and tolerance within school, homes and the community.
Hannah Bee Support Group
Hannah Bee is an organisation started in 2017 by a group of parents. Their aim is to raise awareness of Cerebral Palsy. They host support groups for families with children with disabilities, not limited to Cerebral Palsy. Their goal is to provide social support, information and to foster advocacy to the community and nation at large.
Carly has written a book called ‘The Adventures of Hannah Bee: Hannah Goes to School’. Aimed at children to promote inclusion and friendship, it encourages them to accept other’s differences.
The book explains CP in a simple, child friendly way:
“(Hannah) was very tiny when she was born and did not have enough oxygen to help her breathe and that hurt her brain. Sometimes her brain does not send the correct messages to her legs, this makes her legs stiff and she find it harder to walk.”
The book can be bought for P100 and will help to support the work of Hannah Bee.
How Can you Help?
Buy a copy of the book and read it with your children. It’s natural for children to be curious about others, especially if they appear different. Allow them to ask their questions and give them honest and clear answers. Talking about people’s differences breeds empathy towards others and supports inclusion.
Buy one of their products. As well as the book, Hannah Bee sells beautiful, handmade sensory gifts as well as cute ‘Bee Kind’ t-shirts.
Support their work. Share posts with parents who need support raising children with special needs, offer guidance if you have any relevant skills and get in touch if you can help.
Bee Kind. It’s as simple as that! Hannah Bee promotes kindness to all. We are all unique and it is our uniqueness that makes us wonderful.
You can find Hannah Bee on Facebook or contact Carly on 72330190
How Else Can You Share Hope And Kindness In Botswana This Festive Season?
Gift Vouchers From The Honeycomb Hub
Not sure what to get you special someone for Christmas?
The Honeycomb Hub has a selection of gift vouchers available from book tokens to yarn gift certificates.
Christmas doesn’t have to break the bank this year.
Di Keletso
Di Keletso Make A Wish Trust is a not for profit trust, set up to grant wishes to children suffering from life-threatening illnesses. They have been going strong since August 2018. Read more about their story here.
This Christmas season they have 20 kids with simple wishes. You can bring hope and kindness to the children of Di Keletso, Botswana, by making a donation of any amount. No donation is too small.
Contact: 72 105 101
Cancer Association Botswana
There are many ways you can support the Cancer Association of Botswana this Christmas.
One of the ways is to buy baked goods from cancer survivor, KS Cooks to raise funds to support his culinary business as well as the association.
Alternatively, you can take part in the toiletry drive or donate food parcels to the interim home which hosts cancer patients from all across Botswana. 75% – 85% of the patients aren’t able to support themselves by working and spend time away from their family when in Gaborone for treatment. Your support will go a long way.
Contact: 71 303 971
KS Cooks: 74 222 050
Learn To Play
Learn To play are passionate about transforming communities and uplifting childhood through play. They believe in the empowerment of marginalised women and children in communities across Botswana, by scaffolding Early Childhood Development through play.
This year they have handmade gifts on sale. All proceeds from the sales will go to community playgrounds. Contact their WhatsApp Business account to view their catalogue.
Contact: 72 929 292
Donate Blood At The Botswana National Transfusion Services
Save a life by donating blood this Christmas season.
The national blood reserves are constantly running at a deficit and call on all citizens and residents of Botswana to donate blood.
Give them a call to find out where their next blood drive will be.
Contact: 390 1134
Christmas is a season where we can teach our kids to be kind and generous. Our hope that this shortlist will help you find avenues to spread the hope and kindness in Botswana this festive season.
Caroline holds a Master’s degree in Mental Health and Psychological Therapy and works to help others achieve their full potential. As one of the Directors of SensoBaby, she focuses her attention on families and young children.
You can find her at www.littlenaledi.com
