INTRODUCTION

Across our communities, children are silently battling serious illnesses—and they need our help. In the Eastern Cape, it is estimated that over 400 children should be diagnosed with cancer each year. Sadly, many of these cases go undetected due to misdiagnosis, limited access to healthcare, and systemic failures. As a result, countless young lives are lost unnecessarily.

Siyavuka for Kids was born out of the urgent need to change this reality. Our vision is twofold:

• To support and strengthen the existing Paediatric Oncology and Haematology Unitat the P.E. Provincial Hospital in Gqeberha
• And ultimately, to help establish a Centre of Excellence—a pioneering Children’s Hospital in the Eastern Cape dedicated to treating children with cancer, rare diseases, and other complex medical conditions.

“Siyavuka” is an isiXhosa phrase meaning “We rise!”—a powerful reminder of resilience, hope, and our collective responsibility to uplift our most vulnerable.

The World Health Organization (WHO) highlights the stark inequality in childhood cancer survival rates across the globe, with children in low- and middle-income countries facing the worst outcomes. We believe that a child’s survival should never depend on where they were born. Every child has the right to timely, specialised care—delivered close to home, in a safe, loving environment that meets both their medical and emotional needs.

At Siyavuka for Kids, we are committed to:

• Advocating for the holistic management of children with serious and rare illnesses
• Building partnerships with national and international stakeholders to improve care and support
• Raising funds to procure essential equipment, improve facilities, and support families through their journey

Together, we rise—to give every child the chance to heal, to hope, and to thrive.