Community rallies for girl’s (7) liver transplant

LITTLE Amile Hlongwane of Woodlands keeps smiling despite the hardships she has to endure due to liver cirrhosis which threatens her life.
The ravages of the disease has seen seven-year-old Amile face the arduous challenge of countless hospital visits, tests and much more.

READ: Amile (7) needs R2-m liver transplant
The disease, a complication of liver disease, results in loss of liver cells and irreversible scarring of the liver. The Sun first reported on Amile’s health plight a fortnight ago, in an article which appealed for funds to assist the Hlongwane family to afford the R2-m required for her to undergo a liver transplant.

However, she is not alone in her struggle thanks to the caring and supportive community around her, especially the community within Pitta-Patta Pre-School, which she used to attend since the age of four years. The staff of the preschool namely Kerry-Lee Van Wyk and owner Jackie Goncalves set up a drive-through drive for Amile on Friday morning, 8 September. All parents who came to the school to drop off their children were happy enough to donate towards Amile’s cause in an attempt to contribute towards the R2-million she needs to fund her liver transplant.

“Amile has been with us since she was a toddler and we always try to help ease the financial burden on her family. It is tough to expect a parent to raise such an exorbitant amount. It is important for us at Pitta Patta and the community to help this child.

It really hurts me to see her going through this and I wish that we raise enough money to help her get better.

She is such a pleasant child and you can see she is trying her best to live as normally as possible,” said Goncalves.
Amile’s mother, Phiwo Hlongwane is overwhelmed by the support she is receiving from the school, the community and online. “It is so great to receive this support and I thank the school for all the work they are doing for Amile. It is nice to have people who understand our situation and do nothing but help. For Amile it’s just part of life but we do want a better and healthier life for her,” said Phiwo.

Pitta Patta has also organised a raffle with prizes to the value of R10,000. The prizes the winner will receive a weekend away sponsored by Kombat Force as well as a month’s free schooling at Pitta Patta, one month of free ballet lessons sponsored by La Dance Studio, 12 novelty cupcakes and an eight-inch butter cream decorated cake sponsored by Cherry Blossoms, a full set of gel nails and a full deluxe pedicure from Salon Ultimate. Raffle sheets will be available at Bluff Unleashed, Cherry Blossoms and Ink Dot Com as well as the Montclair Pharmacy on Kenyon Howden and every Pitta Patta parent.
Sponsor, Shawn Smith who co-owns Kombat Force, encouraged other business in the area and surroundings to get involved and help this child survive.

There has been a notable increase in the donations made via fundraising site BackABuddy, which has amassed R23,675 in donations. or more information or to support the fundraising visit the BackABuddy site at https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/liver-transplant-for-amile.