After it was reported in February that a family in Rikasrus was suffering in silence – physically, mentally and financially – a resident came up with an initiative to start a Dream Team to assist them, in conjunction with the Herald.
Although the community showed great interest in the family, and donated various groceries, food, clothes and a bed to them, Drienie van As from Randgate realised that they would need ongoing help, and contacted the Herald after reading our article online, and we went to visit her at home.
Her idea was to start a Dream Team that would help get donations for the family. Ida Wilson and Liezel Lotriet from the restaurant Grootjie se Kombuis on Homestead Avenue have helped the family previously by helping the man and his daughter to sell boerewors rolls, to generate some income. They picked them up in the day, and dropped them off in the evening. They offered to continue assisting the family, and so did the Herald.
The family live in the backyard of a house in the Rikasrus area. The elderly woman, 77, and her son, 50, are both being destroyed by cancer. The man’s 19-year-old daughter lives with them, but his other daughter lives elsewhere. The girl cannot attend school because they have no transport, and living so far away from town makes it worse. She plans to do online schooling as soon as she is financially able.
The man also has multiple sclerosis, which is worsening by the day. The symptoms he lives with daily include vision problems, tingling and numbness, pains and spasms, weakness and fatigue, balance problems and dizziness. The pain he lives with daily is unbearable. The Herald was informed on 9 March that his facial cancer has now spread closer to his eye. A promise from a company to send them to a doctor in Pretoria unfortunately never materialised.
Even though they are struggling to this extent, the man has a huge passion to inspire other people with cancer, and has even registered an NPO. He puts his faith in God, and still manages to run their little household. At this stage, their only income is his mother’s pension.
The Dream Team and the Herald are now urging the Rand West Local Municipality, the local Democratic Alliance (DA) councillors, big businesses, private companies, schools, old age homes and the whole community to step in and support their initiative. The project has already taken off, with a company offering to sponsor blankets and other items for the family. As soon as the Herald confirms receipt of the donation, the company or person will be given the opportunity to be named, photographed and featured in the Herald.
A bank account will also be opened for the family, and will be controlled by a registered auditor and Drienie van As.
These are the most important needs for the family:
• Washing machine repairs (condensers need replacing)
• Wool for the elderly lady to knit for her grandchildren
• A television
• A kettle, microwave
• Towels, linen, bedding (pillows)
• English books to read
• A doctor that can refer them to a skin specialist for the mother and son’s skin cancer
• Multivitamins for over-60s
• Transport to be able to go places and visit the man’s grandchildren.
• Replacement/ repairs to the roof, as it leaks
• A new lock for the sliding door, as it can not lock at all
• Curtains
• Medication for the man’s multiple sclerosis, including Kali phos (potassium phosphate) tablets, Valerian root drops, Ginko biloba capsules, honey and cinnamon, pain tablets, Omega 3 and 6 supplements, vitamins B6, B12, A and E, and Joint Ease tablets.
• Airtime and data to be able to share his passion for cancer survivors
• Spaying of two female cats
• Sponsorship to finish young girl’s schooling and/ or register for online schooling
The Herald, together with the Dream Team, challenges everyone to join in, in any way, to help this family.
Please contact Maritza (journalist from the Herald) on 011 693 3671 or 072 291 6971, or Ida Wilson on 082 446 0829.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (please remember to include your contact details in the email) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
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