A five-year-old Khayelitsha boy who has a lower limb deformity will receive a number of cash and wheelchair donations from Cape Times readers.
But still there remains a dire need for more assistance, as little Ibongwe Tshambu still needs a school that will suit his needs.
Ibongwe, his father, Bonani, and mother, Vuyiswa, and two older siblings share a tiny two-room shack in
an informal settlement in Site C.
The family depends on Vuyiswa’s R2 000 wage which she receives as a home-based caregiver and the R1 500 from Ibongwe’s disability grant.
Though the five-year-old likes playing with other children in his neighbourhood, they tease him about his condition.
Vuyiswa said the constant teasing had resulted in Ibongwe losing self-esteem.
Having read Ibongwe’s story, reader Edgar Wolf said he could not resist helping.
“I am prepared to donate R2 000 towards the cost of the chair,” said Wolf.
In keeping the donation as transparent as possible he said he would like to open a trust account with the Red Cross Memorial Children’s Hospital in Ibongwe’s
name.
“I will put a deposit of R2 000 down for the wheelchair to get the wheels turning,” he said.
Wolf added that he would ask 200 of his friends on social media to donate R50 each to the Ibongwe trust account to make up the difference.
World Memon Organisation director Solly Noor said his organisation would assist by buying a wheelchair for Ibongwe.
“He has no functioning legs. Find out where I can buy a wheelchair and I will pay,” said Noor.
Two other readers, who wanted to remain anonymous, each pledged to buy a wheelchair.
One, a retired social worker, said she had contacted the Social Development Department
to assist.
“Social workers have to provide counselling to the boy and tell him the benefits of him having the surgery,” she said. “It is possible that the boy can be helped to get back to school.”