29/03/2024
Charity Appeal - Update images - Simbarashe Dande now 9 years old and still struggling with the tumour , in Murehwa , Zimbabwe.
25/03/24
Dear all donors and well wishers. I hope I find you all well. Sincere apologies for the silence.Things have not been well for Simbarashe and family since the unsuccessful surgery in South Africa in 2019 and his father's death.
The tumour keeps growing , he is still using a breathing tube inserted in South Africa in 2019 (4 years ago) and it needs cleaning and changing. The mother uses ear buds to clean the tube.
I have shared with you Simbarashe videos and images taken in February 2024 in Murehwa after a visit with food , medication , toiletries and cash.
The struggle continues with Simbarashe's health woes.He is now 9 years old and you have been helping him since he was 4 years old. Your help is greatly appreciated from the bottom of our hearts.
He is still on soft diet and has a good appetite. In the images he is seen eating yorghurt.
Following the death of Simbarashe's father the family had challenges with accommodation as Simbarashe's mother had to move house. While all this was going on , Simbarashe was still struggling with his health.Life is still hectic for the family.
Of late Simbarashe's tumour has been swelling and bleeding but the bleeding is less than before. At one time Simbarashe fell unconscious for about twenty minutes but later gained conciousness.The family thought they had lost him.
Simbarashe is currently staying with his mother and younger brother , 7 year old Tatenda , who is now going to school .
The first born of the four siblings Phibion who is 20 years is currently in Gweru staying with a well wisher. The second born ,15 year old Patience is now staying with her aunt in Kwekwe.
Simbarashe is currently not going to school due to his health. Other children feel uncomfortable when they see him so he needs home schooling but the family has no resources.
Simbarashe's mother confirmed that Simbarashe is not going to school because other children are scared of him because of his condition.
She also said she is having financial constraints and is struggling to provide Simbarashe with basic things like food and medication. She said she is not receiving any other outside help except for the help from well wishers if they come through but only auntie Violet visits and helps the family.
His mother explained that it is really difficult to dress Simbarashe as this causes him some discomfort when clothes are pulled over the tumour down his neck so he prefers clothes with open front. She went on to say that Simbarashe also wants some shirts with front buttons as these are easier to dress and don't cause him pain. She added that he struggles to breathe at night and he puts his fingers in his mouth when sleeping to allow air.
The mother said Simbarashe is a very bright boy who plays with his younger brother, Tatenda but is struggling with pain.
Simbarashe said he experiences constant headaches due to the tumour.
There is still hope because when Simbarashe was given yoghurt bought by auntie Violet and he ate the yorghurt on his own with no issues. He can still eat and speak despite the tumour growing. The mother said he has a good appetite and eats soft foods on his own.
When lunch was served Simbarashe ate and finished his meal of sadza, soup and chicken.
The family does not have a stable source of income and the mother relies on subsistence farming and some meagre income that comes from Phibion. The family struggles with sourcing basic necessities such as special diet and prescribed medication for Simbarashe.
That said life is still very tough for the family as Simbarashe is still suffering from the cancerous tumour which keeps growing and has almost closed his mouth .Simbarashe needs medication such as pain killers and an ointment to keep flies away. Simbarashe is still struggling to breathe and opens his mouth using his fingers when sleeping to enable him to breathe properly. The tube around his neck which was put by the medical team in South also helps him with breathing.
Simbarashe needs home schooling. He cannot go to school because other children are scared of the tumour growing on his face. Even interaction with other children is a challenge because if the tumour is scratched it bleeds profusely.
Simbarashe's mother is staying in a small one room which they have been asked to vacate and build their own homestead since the house they were staying in belongs to her inlaws. So at the moment she cannot afford to build her own house as she is struggling with sourcing basic necessities.
The family is desperate for assistance with cash , clothes, foodstuffs especially for Simbarashe as he is on a special diet. They also need money to buy medication such as painkillers and an ointment for keeping flies away from him. Simbarashe also needs books for home schooling since he cannot attend formal schooling . He also needs clothing especially shirts with buttons since closed shirts cause him severe discomfort when wearing them due to the growth on his face.
As family we are kindly asking for help to help the family.
We intend to try all over again and see if we can get him over to the developed world for medical help. We are kindly asking for suggestions as well in case there is a medical team that may help.
His Go fund me page is still at
https://gofund.me/a499dec8
You may also donate through Ecocash /Econet mobile number Zimbabwe 077 151 6725 or through WORLD REMIT to the same Zimbabwe number 077 151 6725 ( select mobile transfer ) NOT cash pick up.
Please feel free to contact myself (Violet ) whatsapp or phone on +447518 230 600 or email [email protected] for more information and further discussions for help etc .Your help will be greatly appreciated as usual.
Sincerely
Violet https://gofund.me/a277e2fd
