Our Vision

...is to provide
A special journey of life-changing adventures, for each child, that will leave an imprint on their hearts with hope for the future and power them with possibility.

Our Mission

There are several guiding principles that are essential in creating a truly special camp experience. The Just Footprints Foundation is committed to creating an environment where each individual, child and adult, can be physically and emotionally safe, feel support and love and always be treated with kindness and respect.
We are planning to host 2000 campers annually whose young lives have been interrupted by serious illness or traumatic life circumstances.

Our Goals

To acquire and develop a permanent, unique, wheelchair friendly camp site of the highest architectural and safety standards that is suitable for camping adventures for the children.

To organize and manage camps for the children at other regional venues.

To ensure good governance, raise funds and generate income to sustain the organization.

To work closely with other organizations who have as a major part of their activities the care and support of affected children with health challenges.

To work closely with any organization, locally or internationally, which has similar objectives to the Foundation, and which can contribute knowledge and expertise towards the activities of the Foundation.

To provide fun experiences and retreat opportunities for siblings and close relations of affected children when possible.

To encourage and support guardians and family members of the children we serve.

Medical Support

Background

The concept of camping programmes for children that provide for educational, recreational and outcomes based outdoor activities is long established in South Africa. What is totally limited at present is the provision of this type of adventure for children with serious health and life challenges. There are no camping facilities that adequately provide for the needs of this group of children and so the Just Footprints Foundation has taken up the challenge to procure and develop our own ‘Camp Footprints’ permanent site with all the necessary facilities and recreational areas to accommodate these special children.

The involvement of local and regional medical communities

At present, the camping programmes being offered by the Just Footprints Foundation are for children with cancer or blood disorders being treated at the paediatric oncology and haematology units of the major academic hospitals in Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal and the Western Cape. We also host camps for children infected and affected with HIV in partnership with various umbrella HIV organisations. The Foundation will be expanding its programmes to children with other serious illnesses and to the Eastern Cape and Free State regions.

The hospitals and parent HIV organisations provide the medical related information required on each child’s camp registration form to ensure that treatment protocols are maintained by the children during the camping days. Just Footprints has a volunteer camp doctor, nurse and care workers at the camps to ensure the proper supervision and administration of medication to the children during the camps.

CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa has created loving environments for children undergoing chemotherapy, upgraded vital medical equipment and funded research staff to help care and assist children with cancer. It is a national organisation helping children in cities and rural areas.

The Reach for a Dream Foundation endeavours to help children with life threatening illnesses and their families to believe in the power of dreams, to know that tomorrow is worth fighting for and that fun and enjoyment can still be part of their lives today.

The Hope (Ithemba) Trust is committed to the funding of projects that aid intellectually and physically  disabled children to experience the joy and satisfaction of achieving their full potential. The Trust sponsors learning programmes, therapeutic support equipment and specialised sports therapy facilitators at special needs facilities.

Cotlands: Founded in 1936, Cotlands was originally created as a shelter for unwed mothers and their infants, and over the years has evolved into a care centre for abused, abandoned, HIV positive, orphaned and terminally ill children from birth to fourteen years of age. Care now extends through the whole continuum - from identifying vulnerable children in the community to end stage hospice care for children. Expanded services include home based care, community development and capacity-building services in the field of HIV/AIDS on a national basis.