A family living in the backyard of a house in the Rikasrus area is suffering to the extent where the elderly woman, 77, and her son, 50, are being destroyed by cancer.
The Herald visited their home recently and saw the small house they live in, as well as the severe problems they face daily. He has two daughters, whom he raised with his mother’s help. The man’s 19-year-old daughter lives with them, but the other daughter lives elsewhere.
The 19-year-old girl cannot attend school because they do not have transport and living so far away from town makes it worse. Her dream is to become a veterinarian. She plans to do online schooling, as soon as she financially can. ” She is a very bright girl,” her father said proudly.
The man also has multiple sclerosis, which is worsening by the day. The symptoms that he is living with daily include vision problems, tingling and numbness, pains and spasms, weakness and fatigue, balance problems and dizziness. And on top of this, he has cancer.
The pain he lives with daily is unbearable. Yet, he tries. He and his daughter sell boerewors rolls in the afternoon, just to try and bring in an income. This in itself is hard, as he can work one or two days, but is so exhausted after that that he then needs a day’s rest.
They are being helped by a local restaurant, which picks them up in the day, and drops them off in the evening. Even though they are struggling to this extent, the man has a huge passion and has even registered an NPO.
Although he only has one pair of socks, and one shirt, he has hope. He puts his faith in God, and manages to still run their little household. At this stage, their only income is his mother’s pension, and the money they make from selling boerewors rolls.
Their biggest wish is just to go see a doctor, so that they can be referred to a state hospital for help. They need vitamins and pain pills. The cancer on the elderly woman’s mouth is so bad that a hole is developing in her lip.
Even though their television and washing machine are broken, and they do not own a radio, their needs are simple. He needs a cable for his laptop, in order for him to get his NPO going again. He also needs data, and possibly transport. He has to walk a very long way, just to buy R7 airtime to be able to Whatsapp.
As they are church members, they have approached churches for help, but have not been successful. The folks from the local restaurant have even approached a welfare organisation in Randfontein, but that, as well, was unsuccessful.
The family sits in silence every day, and the man says that they are all emotionally broken. As the Herald’s community project, we are urging the community to help this family, even in the smallest way.
Please contact Clinton Botha (Editor) or Maritza Van Zyl (Journalist) from the Herald on 011 693 3671.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
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