No matter what they are facing, every child deserves the simple joy of ‘just being a child’. Thanks to a cosy new Dream Room officially opened at Frere Hospital, brave young patients in the Paediatric Wards now have a warm space filled with comfort, joy, and endless inspiration.
East London, South Africa (26 July 2026) – Something colourful, wonderful and magical has just been unveiled at the Frere Provincial Hospital in East London, and it promises to bring a bright ray of hope and healing to the brave little warriors receiving care there.
This week marked the official handover of a brand-new Dream Room in Paediatric Wards C3 and C4 – a special space brought to life by the Reach For A Dream Foundation and its generous partners.
The joyful occasion brought together hospital management, healthcare professionals, donors and stakeholders to celebrate a beautiful, child-friendly space thoughtfully designed to offer comfort, cheer, and inspiration to young patients during their hospital stay.
Dream Rooms feature a wide range of activities designed to spark joy, creativity, development and a sense of wonder, and offer a much-needed respite from the sterile hospital environment.
Speaking during the ceremony, Reach For A Dream Foundation representative, Lwanele Mpeta, said the Dream Room was created to give children who spend extended periods in hospital a safe environment where they can play, learn and simply enjoy being children.
Mpeta explained that the room features educational activities, virtual reality (VR), PlayStations and interactive resources that help reduce anxiety and support children’s emotional wellbeing.
Head of Paediatric Oncology at Frere, Dr Karla Thomas, welcomed the initiative, noting that the new facility will help restore a sense of normalcy for children and provide reassurance to families during difficult times.
“This is really helping us to normalise childhood as much as we can”, she said, adding that the play facilities give children something positive to look forward to during their treatment journey.
Frere Hospital CEO, Sicelo Msi, shared similar sentiments and thanked every person and stakeholder who made this possible.
Related Stories
In a World That Celebrates Perfection, Smile Foundation Is Celebrating Difference - and Mismatched Socks!
What to Put Beside Your Boerie on the Braai This Heritage Day“The Dream Room is more than just a playground for children. It creates hope for families coming into our hospital and demonstrates what can be achieved through meaningful partnerships,” Msi said.
The Dream Room is expected to make a lasting difference in the lives of children receiving care at Frere Hospital by creating a space where children can learn, explore their imaginations, engage in playful activities, and simply be children!
Sources: Frere Hospital, East London, South Africa
Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google.
Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes and hear their incredible stories:
Or catch an episode of Good Things with Brent Lindeque or our Weekly Top 5 below. The videos here are always changing, updated with the latest episodes from these two shows. Both are part of Good Things TV, created to bring South Africans balance at a time when the news can feel overwhelmingly negative. Our goal is simple: to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in our country – and to leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.
by 
