THE DREAMS THAT DID COME TRUE

by Chelsey Hale

Hope can be a powerful protector against the dread of a life-threatening illness. It needn’t centre on a cure to be useful, though those aspirations are enticing. Rather, a person’s hope can be cultivated through moments of joy and comfort.

This sentiment underpins Dream Hotels & Resorts’ recent partnership with Reach for a Dream. Over the past two years, they have collaborated to fulfill the dreams of South African children living with severe health conditions.

“When a child is diagnosed with a life-threatening condition, medical appointments and hospital stays take them away from their family, friends and daily routine. They endure pain and worry instead of having the chance just to be a carefree kid ticking off milestones like riding a bike, going on holiday, or learning to swim,” explains Heidi Rowly, Reach for a Dream, Western Cape Branch Manager.

“Over the past two years, Dream Hotels & Resorts has sponsored several Dreamers with stays at their properties where teams on the ground have gone above and beyond to create life-changing experiences. By taking care of travel logistics and special surprises, they have helped us to ensure even more Dreamers feel loved and cherished as their dreams are realised.”

Chris Godenir, General Manager of The Peninsula All-Suite Hotel.

Speaking on behalf of the partnership, Chris Godenir, General Manager of The Peninsula All-Suite Hotel, highlights how this collaboration forms part of their broader mission: to build a brighter future across South Africa by focusing on youth development.

“As part of our commitment to operate with a higher purpose, we have chosen to back projects that uplift the less fortunate, especially those with a focus on young people in society. With the birth of our own internal non-profit organisation, Touching Dreams, we can ensure more children know that good people do exist, and good things do happen, even in the most challenging circumstances.

“When so much is decided for them, having a dream empowers a child with choice. It gives them something positive to look forward to – it gives them hope. This is what drives Touching Dreams and our efforts with Reach for a Dream.”

Owethu’s Dream - “I want to see the ocean!”

Owethu Nxele, at the age of six, has spent a significant portion of her life receiving extensive medical care and enduring prolonged hospital visits due to severe rheumatic mitral valve regurgitation. With much of her time spent indoors and never having visited the beach, it is easy to see why as a Dreamer, she requested to see the ocean.

In 2024, the Blue Marlin All-Inclusive Seascape team stepped in to make this dream a reality by inviting her for a weekend stay with her beloved Gogo and Reach For A Dream volunteer, Cindy Chetty.

“Upon arrival, Owethu’s favourite song, ‘Jerusalema’, was on full blast with our staff and Kamo mascot ready to present her with a hamper of goodies,” said Malthee Singh, Assistant General Manager. “This was followed by balloons, gifts and a delicious platter of her favourite snacks awaiting her in her suite. Her stay included pizza-making, and buffet breakfasts with special guest visits by Minnie Mouse, Barbie and Spiderman. She even met our resident crocs at Croc World, and enjoyed a special pamper session at our spa before hitting the beach in a bright red Mustang!”

According to Malthee, the Blue Marlin team arranged a special princess cake and an additional surprise: a new bicycle.

“I’ll never forget the look on her face when she realised the bike was actually hers. Needless to say, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. The whole experience reminded us of the profound impact compassion can have on a young life and we enjoyed every minute of arranging the holiday of her dreams near the sea.”

Like most kids, Owethu loves to swim, and dance and was filled with joy and excitement throughout her stay, declaring it “the best weekend of her life”.

When it came time to return home to Hluhluwe, unfortunately, Owethu’s new bicycle could not fit into the car. However, as one last promise, Blue Marlin Duty Manager, Akshay Govender, promised to deliver it to her.

“I was shattered when Owethu’s bike could not fit in the car. My fatherly instincts kicked in and I had to ensure by any means necessary that Owethu would get it and that she was happy,” he said.

Thato’s Dream – “I dream of riding in a helicopter!”

Following his long-held desire to fly in a helicopter, eight-year-old Thato Sibiya, who suffers from spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), was invited to Little Switzerland Resort in the Northern Drakensberg with his family.

“Although we had pre-planned several experiences over three days, we were mindful not to overdo it. We wanted to ensure Thato and his family enjoyed ample rest time,” says Shalom Mashiri, Little Switzerland Assistant Custodian.

“When we checked them in, Thato was excited about the activities but was most ecstatic to be in a room so close to the swimming pool – something we see every day. It was a reminder to us all that nothing in life should be taken for granted.”

During his stay at Little Switzerland, Thato’s highlight was making friends with other young guests in the playroom. Shalom highlighted how despite all the treats and activities that were supplied, what he loved most was having the chance to feel like a kid. “By the time Sunday arrived, the fatigue really kicked in after time well spent! We were so pleased to have them and look forward to a return visit,” she added.

Ayesha’s Dream – “I want to go on holiday with my family.”

Ayesha’s condition, known as Niemann-Pick Disease Type C, has prevented her and her family from sharing a holiday together. Fortunately, that all changed in 2024 when Reach for a Dream and Dream Hotels & Resorts stepped in to arrange a special getaway at Piekenierskloof Mountain Resort near Citrusdal.

“Knowing it was their first trip away together as a family we took the greatest care to ensure their experience would be nothing short of exceptional,” said Estelle Horn, Piekenierskloof Assistant Custodian.

“Four-year-old Ayesha, her older sister and parents, settled in beautifully and quickly became enchanted by the natural beauty of the Cederberg mountains. They spent a great deal of time in our indoor heated pool, which comes as no surprise since Ayesha loves to swim!

“We extended an invitation for them to join us for meals, however, they chose to spend their time dining privately, relishing the opportunity to enjoy each other’s company. We were more than happy to respect their wishes.”

One of the highlights for Ayesha and her family was the exceptional care they received from the Piekenerskloof team. Chrisna Nyl, in particular, stood out for her warm hospitality and for ensuring they always felt welcomed and cared for throughout their visit.

“We were grateful to hear that the Abrahams’ stay at Piekenierskloof was everything they had hoped for and more,” Estelle added. “Following their departure, we were reminded of the power of thoughtful hospitality and the joy that comes from knowing that we’ve made a real difference in our guests’ lives. Hope is all about imagining and reaching for a better future for ourselves despite our challenges. We certainly felt this to be true in the case of little Ayesha and her family. Her story reminds us that we are all deserving of love and to be cared for.”

Misokuhle’s Dream – “I want to sing on Idols.”

Despite her brain tumour diagnosis, eight-year-old Misokuhle Mketsu’s greatest dream was to sing on Idols – a popular talent show for amateur singers. On March 21st, 2024, this became her reality thanks to the efforts of The Peninsula All-Suite Hotel staff in collaboration with Reach For A Dream.

“I speak on behalf of the team when I say it’s a day we won’t forget. Considering Miso’s circumstances, she had the biggest smile and the biggest heart, and she was open to receiving everyone that day,” said Chantell Blomerus, Conference & Events Sales Manager.

Misokuhle was treated to the full Idols experience, with special guest judges: Peninsula Custodian, Chris Godenir, 5FM Dj, Kyle Cassim, and Idols Season 17 Winner Berry Trytsman.

“It was a truly inspiring day, and we felt very fortunate to have been included in making Miso’s dream come true,” Chantell added. “Here at the Peninsula, we look after each other and our guests as we do family and friends. On this special day, all departments came together to make Miso’s dream come true. We were one unified family. Staff and guests included. We were all there supporting her with one goal in mind, to make Miso feel special and supported and loved. There were cheers and tears as she won her golden ticket!”

Demi’s Dream – “I want to go on safari with my family.”

10-year-old Demi Lee has spent the last year fighting a type of bone cancer called Osteosarcoma. It restricts what she can do – going to school, seeing her friends, and playing outdoors with her siblings (Ashley and Joshua). Demi’s fondness for animals and nature, coupled with her dream of becoming a veterinarian, led to a special safari invitation at Finfoot Lake Reserve.

“When we received the request to host Dreamer Demi with her family, we felt very emotional and touched by her story,” says Melani van der Westhuizen, Finfoot Custodian.

“Demi had the brightest smile on her face when she arrived. Despite being in a wheelchair, it didn’t stop her from trying to leap onto us and give us the warmest hugs – a true testament to her character. They were greeted by Spiral-horn Antelope that happened to be passing through and, in that moment, there was complete silence as everyone took in the image right before their eyes.”

Although Demi initially wasn’t fond of the early game drive wake-up call, once she experienced her first sunrise, it was all worth it. She reportedly expressed how she had never seen beauty such as that before, making a wish for it to ‘stay like this forever’.

“At that moment in time, she was a little girl living her wildest dreams,” Melani added. “We are forever thankful to have given Demi and her family special memories to last a lifetime.”

Ayema’s Dream – “I want to visit the Kruger National Park!”

Ayema Mbalo, a courageous 15-year-old boy from East London, suffers from cardiomyopathy, a disorder that affects the heart muscle. From as far back as he could recall, Ayema had always longed to stay in a hotel overnight and explore the Kruger National Park – a dream fueled by his profound love for animals.

On October 28th, 2023, this became his reality following an invitation to Mjejane Bush Camp. It was an experience that further saw him experience his first aeroplane flight thanks to the collaborative support from South African Airways.

“We are deeply grateful to the Reach for a Dream team for connecting us with Ayema, a child whose joy shone brightly despite the challenges of his illness,’ said Tenika Johnson, Mjejane’s Guest Relations Manager.

“Witnessing Ayema’s resilience left the Mjejane team deeply inspired. His infectious laugh, even in the face of hardship, filled us with a sense of pride. Knowing we could help fulfil his last wish brought us immense joy.”

For two unforgettable days, Ayema and his mother embraced the beauty of the South African bush on wildlife-rich game drives coupled with spa treatments provided by the nurturing hands of Mjejane’s spa therapists.

“We worked hard to ensure Ayema had a once-in-a-lifetime Kruger experience. Our hearts were uplifted, and we will forever carry the memory of his radiant smile with us. We genuinely look forward to bringing joy to more children like him,” Tenika said.

Mzi’s Dream - “I want to go on holiday near the beach!”

The Blue Marlin All-Inclusive Seascape team were honoured to host Mzi Dlamini and his family for a weekend getaway. Mzi is 10 years old and suffers from spinal muscular atrophy. Despite being wheelchair-bound, it didn’t stop the team from getting him into the ocean and making the most of his time away.

“I am so proud of our team and the Scottburgh community who all rallied to help our Dreamer, Mzi, have the time of his life with his mom, aunt and younger baby sibling at his side. At first it was nerve-wracking but seeing him relishing in all the activities and experiencing the joy of being here soon put us all at ease.”

After spending time with Mzi, Kerry Donkin, Reach For A Dream Regional Manager for KwaZulu-Natal, Freestate & Northern Cape, emphasised how his big dream was to spend time in a hotel at the beach with his family.

“Thankfully we have this beautiful relationship with Dream Hotels & Resorts, who assisted us in making Mzi’s dream come true,” she added. “The team at Blue Marlin went above and beyond ours and Mzi’s wildest dreams. I think the surfing experience was so magical and something he could never have even begun to think was possible. A once in a lifetime experience for him!”

Following his stay, The Blue Marlin team shared this thank you letter penned by Mzi.

Reach For A Dream is no stranger when it comes to making dream moments and memories a reality. So, when it came to giving teens fighting life-threatening illnesses their moment to sparkle, they knew they needed to pull out all the stops with the help of The Peninsula All-Suite Hotel.

“Prom Night was held at our Strolla poolside venue for a small group of Dreamers to celebrate a Prom experience of their own,” said Chantell Blomerus, Conference & Events Sales Manager.

“We arranged catering and décor, including a red carpet entrance to add that extra glitz, and invited two of our regular DJs. We worked closely with Heidi from Reach For A Dream to make sure everything was just perfect for the Dreamers. When they arrived, we all cheered! Some of us even shared in on some dancing while they partied the night away.”

A highlight on most teenagers’ calendars, Prom traditionally celebrates the end of our school days and the welcoming of new adventures in the big wide world of adulthood. However, for these teens, this Prom Night celebrated much more.

“The moment there is something to look forward to, everything begins to change,” Blomerus added. The night was more than just sparkles and glam, it allowed a moment of hope, and a chance to celebrate and enjoy life, not as a sick child but as a human being.”

“Touching Dreams and our partnership with Reach For A Dream is a testament to how working together can do so much,” said Chris Godenir, The Peninsula All-Suite Hotel Custodian. This initiative sits right at the heart of what we do and is very much for us, a shared dream that is becoming our reality.”

Looking back, the inception of Touching Dreams culminated in an informative industry Think Tank event held at the Maslow Hotel in Johannesburg on July 7th, 2023. This included a dedicated Dream the Impossible Dream gala dinner, where R235,000 was raised to help cover additional travel costs for Dreamers.

“What started as a dream of ours, the live Think Tank and Gala provided a unified platform for the industry to come together and move towards a common goal instead of working alone in silos. After all, Touching Dreams is not just for us as a company. It’s for individuals and organisations from all sectors to join in and help make a difference.”

As they turn a new corner into 2025 and reflect on the past two years, the Dream Hotels & Resorts team stands tall with immense pride in what they have achieved in this short time.

“Touching Dreams is quickly becoming the backbone of everything we do here at Dream Hotels & Resorts. It takes an immense amount of effort, but the results are rewarding, and the intent is true. I’m looking forward to establishing many more collaborations, changing even more lives, and turning seemingly impossible dreams into reality.”