Durban - While most 10-year-olds celebrated Christmas in the company of family, playing with their new toys, a little Inchanga girl spent it in hospital after being raped and stabbed 47 times.
But the feisty little fighter is recovering, “playing and smiling”, according to her father.
The girl was attacked nearly a month ago and has been in hospital ever since, recovering from her horrific injuries.
According to the victim, the suspect had been looking for her older sister and, when he did not find her at home, dragged her out instead and assaulted her. She was found the next morning in nearby bushes with her intestines hanging out.
But her future is not as bleak as it could have been, thanks to a group of Hillcrest mothers who brought new meaning to the word “caring” after they dedicated themselves to the child’s well-being.
The mothers started a social media drive and reached out to the community, appealing for people to help the little girl.
They even went as far as to contact the mayor of Durban to build the girl a new home so that when she is released from hospital, she will be in a safer environment. Their previous home had no windows or roof.
One of the Hillcrest mothers, Carey Tonkin, has been liaising with the girl and her family over the past few weeks.
“I have been in and out of the family’s home in the Inchanga township, offering my support. I also visit the family regularly,” said Tonkin.
Five other women from the Hillcrest area have also been collecting stuff for the girl and her family.
“Their living conditions are terrible. Just the thought of her returning to a home without a roof really got to me. We managed to get appliances and delivered a fridge to the family on Tuesday,” said Tonkin.
She said the good news was that, with the mayor’s help, the construction of a new home had already begun. The house was already at window level.
“I approached the mayor several times to highlight the plight of the girl and her family. He agreed to build them a new house and the building began.
“They have stopped for a while since it’s the festive season, but if she is released from hospital before the home is complete the Rob Roy frail centre agreed to care for her, free. They have already set up a specially decorated room just for her,” said Tonkin.
Another mother involved, Annie Musgrave-Beadon, said she was amazed at how the community came together to support the girl. They are even looking into funding the girl’s education at a top school in Hillcrest next year.
“The people of Hillcrest really poured their hearts into it. They were so shocked by what happened and all wanted to help her. We started a social media campaign and constantly updated the community about the girl’s progress.
“We asked mothers to donate just R20 and in three weeks we raised R1 500. This is proof of how much change can be made when communities come together,” said Musgrave-Beadon.
The child’s father said he was grateful for all that the women and the community had been doing for his family.
“This is a traumatic time for us. We are just happy that our daughter is on the road to recovery. I spent Christmas with her at the hospital and it was nice to see her playing and smiling.
“She is still in pain but she will recover, slowly but surely. I am also pleased that she passed Grade 3,” said the father.
He said his daughter underwent more surgery on Wednesday and was coping well.
“A new house is a big step for our family because we have been living in terrible conditions.
“My little girl will have a new house and she is going to be so happy. I cannot tell you how grateful we are.”
The suspect who attacked her is still at large.
Sunday Tribune