Looking for light at the end of the tunnel

Belonging to a family of a dozen siblings, Kamogelo Petlele cannot say he had a normal childhood, going to school and getting up to mischief with his siblings - all because of his kidney.

Kamogelo Petlele has dreams of becoming an electical engineer one day, despite his kidney failure.

The 20-year-old lost the privilege of having a joyful childhood, because all he has known since he can remember is the constant swelling of his head and stomach, and urinating blood.

After visiting several hospitals with his mother, Monica Petlele, he was diagnosed with kidney failure at the tender age of nine months.

All his mother prays for is any form of assistance that will help her son get better and spare her having to watch his health deteriorate over time, ultimately leading to his death.

“I don’t know what life is like outside, because I have been sick for most of my life,” said Kamogelo.

In 2009 Kamogelo found a donor and underwent a kidney transplant at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.

However, this was short-lived, because his body rejected the new kidney, which led to him becoming diabetic and having mental issues that affected his brain for six months.

In 2015, Monica visited several government hospitals for further assistance with her son’s condition, but was told he no longer qualifies to apply for dialysis at a government hospital, because he already received a kidney.

She appealed to her church (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) for assistance and they began paying R10 000 every month from January until June.

He then attended two out of the three sessions of dialysis each week at a local hospital, but this was also short-lived, because the church could no longer pay his bills.

According to Monica, her son needs dialysis three times a week, amounting to R1 360.

“There is nothing I can do because we need money to pay for medical bills and medication and we don’t have that money,” said Kamogelo.

This has affected his social life, lowered his self-esteem and confidence.

Due to him being ill, he is currently completing Grade 10 at a night school at Mabuya Secondary School, and hopes to qualify as an electrical engineer someday.

“This has been a setback to my family and all I want is to see my family persevering,” he said.

Kamogelo is currently not on any form of dialysis and is awaiting assistance from a government hospital or sponsor to help him resume his treatment.