From Patient to Health Promoter: Meet Thandazo Thandazo's journey with Lambano Sanctuary began at birth. She was born with Gastroschisis, a congenital condition where a baby's intestines, and sometimes other organs, develop outside the abdomen through an opening next to the belly button. Thanks to life-saving surgery and ongoing medical care, she was given the opportunity to grow, heal, and thrive. Raised alongside her siblings at Lambano Sanctuary, Thandazo blossomed into a kind, resilient young woman whose infectious laughter and vibrant personality brighten every room she enters. In 2025, she achieved a remarkable milestone by qualifying as a Health Promotion Officer (HPO). Health Promotion Officers play a vital role in strengthening communities by promoting healthy lifestyles, educating families, preventing disease, and connecting people with essential healthcare services. Today, Thandazo continues to give back to the very place that helped shape her future. She worked at Lambano Sanctuary Children's Medical & Palliative Care step-down facility, serving children and families with the same compassion she once received. She is now searching for permanent employment—an opportunity to build the bright future she has worked so hard to achieve. Thandazo says “I’m excited for what awaits my future, because with God, anything is possible”. If you would like to get involved, or provide friendly employment please email viv@lambano.org.za