Bringing light to little lives: New artworks inspire families at Rahima Moosa hospital

Footprints 4 Sam has installed two extraordinary artworks by celebrated South African artist John Adams at Rahima Moosa Mother & Child Hospital (RMMCH), Coronationville, Johannesburg, in honour of World Prematurity Day that took place recently - RMMCH is the only dedicated mother and child hospital in South Africa and a critical centre for neonatal and premature infant care.

The artworks, titled “Hope” and “Joy”, were generously donated to the Footprints 4 Sam Trust during the Trust’s recent Annual Gala Dinner, by Sean and Marilyn Peche and Sean and Kelly Robinson.  Both families have been long-standing supporters of Footprints 4 Sam and its aim to transform paediatric and neonatal healthcare across South Africa.

Now on loan from the Footprints 4 Sam Trust, the artworks will uplift thousands of families and healthcare workers at RMMCH.  The vibrant children’s piece “Joy” has been placed at the entrance of the hospital, offering a warm welcome to every mother, child and caregiver who walks through the doors and the mother-and-baby portrait Hope” has been installed at outside the entrance to the Neonatal ICU, bringing light, colour and comfort to the hospital’s most vulnerable little patients and their families.

Renowned SA artist John Adams, whose vibrant fusion of traditional African and contemporary styles is admired worldwide, reflected on the importance of this installation, “I was born at Rahima Moosa, so having my art return here is incredibly meaningful. I hope these pieces bring colour, comfort and a sense of hope to the children and families who pass through these spaces.”

The installation aligns perfectly with the spirit of World Prematurity Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness of preterm birth and the emotional journey faced by families with babies in neonatal care. These artworks aim to restore dignity, emotional support and moments of brightness in a place where parents often spend some of the hardest days of their lives.

This initiative forms part of Footprints 4 Sam’s “Beautiful Memories” initiatives, one of six core initiatives designed to create dignified and healing environments within government hospitals for patients, families and healthcare workers. To date, the Trust has transformed more than 12 key spaces within RMMCH, including the Paediatric Outpatient Department (POPD), two Registrar rooms, a Counselling Room, a NICU breastfeeding room and the Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) Ward.

Melissa Williams Platt, Co-Founder of the Trust and Sam’s mum, expressed gratitude for the continued support that makes projects like this possible, “Beautiful Spaces is about dignity and healing. We are incredibly grateful to the Peche and Robinson families, and to John Adams, for helping us create uplifting environments for the families and staff at Rahima Moosa.”

Footprints 4 Sam continues to honour baby Sam’s legacy by walking alongside underprivileged children facing life-limiting illnesses, their families and the healthcare professionals who care for them.

Learn more at www.footprints4sam.org