Community rallies around Siyathemba

THERE has been an overwhelming response from the greater Durban community to help an 11-year-old disabled boy. Last week the Northglen News published an appeal for Siyathemba Hlope who lives in Blackburn Village Informal Settlement. Siyathemba is severely disabled and has been living in the settlement all his life. He sleeps on the floor of his shack with just two paltry blankets for comfort.

uMhlanga ward councillor, Heinz de Boer, said he could not believe how the community have rallied to the cause, adding he was incredibly touched by the kindness.

“I expected some response, but the community’s response has been phenomenal. A resident organised a visit to a doctor in Durban on Wednesday. It was Siyathemba’s first time leaving the confines of the shack and the settlement. He smiled through the entire trip, I think he was just so happy to be outside. Dr Sherleen Soobramoney, who was kind enough to see him on a Pro Bono basis diagnosed him with cerebral palsy.

“We also took him to La Lucia Clinic who supplied medication for him. Several residents have donated clothes and other items to the family which has just been amazing. The QuadPara Association of KZN has donated a specialised wheelchair to help him get around. Somebody was kind enough to donate a bed for him. We are also in the process of trying to get the Department of Social Services to help secure an ID document for his mother and a birth certificate for him. The residents have been amazing, I don’t think we could have asked for a better response,” he said.

Siyathemba’s mother, Mavis, said she could not believe how people have opened their hearts.

“We are so happy, I cannot believe how people are willing to help my son and my family. Thank you from the bottom of my hearts, you are changing our lives,” she said.

• If you would like to help, two drop-off points have been established, one at the Remax building on 27 Swapo (Broadway) Road and 55 Umhlanga Rock Drive.