21st Nov 2024 10:58:34 AM The Charities | The Children | Dorah Mokoena | Health | Schools / Training | Community | Regional Reports | UMashesha Home Ado Balombo Bambula Agnes Wabiwa Amanda Simanga Amina Mahamat Amukelani Dube Andani Mphaphuli Anele Nyongwana Babalwa Debele Babalwa Mfengu Baby Babongile Bafana Nzima Basheeba Worlotoe Benoni Boipelo Mosegedi Bongani Madlala Bongani Phakati Bonginkosi Brendan Busisiwe C Caroline Gichuki Chris M Clara Deon Slabbert Emmanuel Lawal Esihle Evelyn Minto Essono's Feleng Franklin Fursy Mugobe Gabriel Gabriel C Gamuchirai Vanessa Gohodza Gloria Gontise Mogotsi Habiba Hatendi Simbe Helen Matondo Hlumelo Dondashe Irene Peta Jabulani Malungane Jacques Abrahams Janine Barends Jose Mvula Kagiso Maphoso Kagiso Mathebula Kagiso Mphuti Karabo Thebedi Kedibone Kenyan Kezia Fern Samuel Kjetil Sandivk Havnen Koketso Sekuru Lathlehele Lee Branco Liane Grond Lida Basson Loide Londeka Ngidi Maje Mbali Michelle Ecape Michelle Mthenjwa Mimi Mlungisi Mohau Qumpula Mpho Maja Munashe Mungo Nete Musa Zwane Musiwa Neliswe Radebe Nelson Tsabalala Nkosi Ncube Nkululeko Nkululeko Jnr Nomthandazo Shongwe NonMireille Nosihle Nthabiseng Nyakallo Oscar Mlondolozi Hadebe Perlucia Phillip Lesingaran Phindile Piet Moloja Rachid Reagan Rien ne Dit Rolivhuwa Matodzi Rose Wambua Rumbi Saloma Aphanye Sameh Chiboub Samkelo Somi Samukelo Radebe Seetsa Mosoma Seif Seiso Selamawit Shaun Shaun Hart Shirley Seqobane Sicelo Simamkele Sithembiso Hlatshwayo SiyaAndile Siyabonga Morwasetla Siyabonga Nokumbi Siyamthanda Sizwe Steven Marakeng Mpyana Sthabile Sunday Mukaza Tapera Jani Tavonga Tembakazi Tendani Yaka Thando Thapelo Thingo Thomas Thulani Nhleko Tshepiso Maimela Tshepiso Sekuru Vhahangwele Matodz Violet Chibvura Vivian Vusi Mathibela William B Xavier Yassine Ben Ali Zanele Jeza Zianda Ndlovu Zipho Zwane Nelson In 2014 Nelson needs to travel back and forth between the Free State and Johannesburg, for surgery. Of course the Free State has hospitals and has surgeons but that's another debate entirely. Nelson's family receives the "Care Dependency Grant". These grants are meant for costs above and beyond the costs of raising a normal child. The family nonetheless pleads poverty and that, despite Bronwen Jones having cared for Nelson for four years at no charge at all to them or to government, they allegedly cannot afford the transport cost. Nelson's social worker Ntshadi Mopotjane is hard to find. She is indifferent as to whether he gets essential surgery or not. The supervisor demonstrates no more caring than Nshadi. They lack morality in expecting people who themselves have no salary, to bear the cost of supporting South Africa's injured children. They are very poor communicators who seem unfamiliar with key aspects of the Children's Act and other legislation, including family reunification and rights to culture and language. We would fall off our chairs in surprise if they ever answered a phone after 4pm. There is always an excuse for not answering emails as well. "Our server was down; I was on a workshop/sick/on leave" etc. As Children of Fire has a limited number of people who can drive, and who can be spared for long trips into the countryside, we have had to resort to placing articles in the Free State newspaper Volksblad and items on Twitter to try to get help for Nelson. One knight in shining armour was Neil Higgins. He is an Afrikaans singer/songwriter. www.nielhiggins.co.za In April 2014 he drove Nelson home, following hand surgery at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hand Unit and recovery in Auckland Park. Volunteer Wendy Ntswane (18) accompanied them. Nelson went home one cool and misty morning with three fat suitcases of blankets, pillows, an Incredible Hulk duvet cover, videos, books, teddies, books, tea and new toy cars. His best friend Bongani Phakathi was also given Incredible Hulk bedlinen so the two "brothers from another mother" could think of each other when they went to sleep in their different provinces. Nelson was booked for further hand surgery in early June 2014 with Professor John Fleming. Dr Tim Christofides declined to operate on Nelson's ectropian scarring. Feleng (black shirt) and Nelson (yellow shirt) enjoyed a trip to the Benoni Bunny Park in April 2014. Nelson "flew" a yellow space shift in pursuit of Bongani Phakathi in the blue one. Nelson learning to fish Nelson's grandma came to visit on 7th October 2011 Nelson was slowly recovering in May 2011 from surgery on his right hand. Nelson and volunteer Moira Golden trying a red nose on for size, just before the visit by world-famous doctor Patch Adams in September 2010. Nelson's maternal grandmother came to visit him in June 2010. Nelson (6) in the arms of Father Christmas (Cyprian of Saab) on 25 December 2009 at Slovo squatter camp where we take presents every Christmas. Nelson was seen at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital in November 2009 and belatedly in April 2010 the plastic surgery registrars decided to try occupational therapy for thermoplastic splinting his hands. Nelson aged six, has lived at Children of Fire since October 2009. He was burned and bereaved in a house fire. His father and his grandmother survived, but his mother did not. Nelson-Ernest Tshabalala aged six is from the southern Free State. He was severely burned in a house fire in October 2008. His hands were not splinted upon admission and subsequently became horrendously contracted. He had hoped to be on the Swiss surgery list but that was cancelled due to political interference. He was then put on a theatre list for Charlotte Maxeke Hospital in December 2009 but that was cancelled due a mild cold. His future chances of surgery – dependant upon his health, political whim or unforeseen Act of God might be late January 2010 in Charlotte Maxeke, mid February 2010 in the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hand Clinic, or in late 2011 in Pelonomi or Universitas Hospital in Bloemfontein. The longer he has to wait for surgery, the worse the damage will be. Nelson blowing bubbles ' This is Nelson-Ernest Tshabalala. In October 2008 he was burned when the farm-labourer Dad’s house was razed in Rosendaal in the Free State. Nelson's mother died and the then five year old survived with injuries to his face, scalp, tummy and hands. He has since developed severe contractures to both his hands. In November 2009 he joined Children of Fire in Johannesburg. This material is Copyright © The Dorah Mokoena Charitable Trust and/or Children of Fire , 1998-2024. Distribution or re-transmission of this material, excluding the Schools' Guide, is expressly forbidden without prior permission of the Trust. 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