Princess Haya Opens House at Children’s Hospital in South Africa

As patron of the Walter Sisulu Pediatric Cardiac Centre for Africa (WSPCCA), Dubai’s Princess Haya was in Johannesburg to open a house at a children’s hospital for those undergoing cardiac treatment. The name of the house is Sheikha Al Jalila, after Haya’s little daughter with her husband, the Sheikh of Dubai.

The Sowetan

“We needed a place that not only had the space and facilities for parents to stay, but also a place for children to recover after their discharge before going home. We could not be more blessed,” said Lynda Bleazard, the CEO of the WSPCCA.

The house can hold about 14 people – seven children and their mothers. They will arrive two days before their surgery, and leave about a week later.

Already, the Sheikha Al Jalila House is taking care of three children: Ollarato age 5, Nkgokena who is 1, and baby Angel, who is only two weeks old. Angel was found in a garbage can, and will be given heart surgery once she gains more weight.

The house is supported by private donors.

“It is the hope of all the donors that this will be a special place of rest and relaxation for the parents of patients at the centre,” Princess Haya said.

“We hope it will provide them with a temporary sanctuary at a very difficult time in their lives and a home away from home.”