With consent from the Parents of this little girl, I Aunty Karen, Principal of Heritage House Preschool, Howick, South Africa have started this campaign to help the parents of beautiful little Boitumelo Ngidi, one of our 5-yr-old learners. The aim is to help meet the mounting financial medical shortfalls and other related financial implications they are faced with, following her most unfortunate homebased accident.
During the July school holidays Tumi's mum, Nonhlanhla, was preparing for the children's bath time. The tragedy happened after boiling water was poured into the bath before cold water. Tumi and her younger sibling were playing close by when suddenly Tumi accidently fell backwards into the boiling hot bathwater, right in front of Mum.
Mum immediately pulled her out of the water they rushed her to the hospital emergency, where she was taken straight into ICU with severe burn wounds, from the back of her neck, her entire back, buttocks and upper limbs.
The reason for using boiling water was due to their geyser having been stolen some time ago and the family was financially unable to replace the geyser.
In spite of her severe pain, Tumi received the best care whilst being in ICU for 2 weeks. She had numerous trips to theatre for skin grafts and dressing changes. Initially she was only able to lie on her stomach, very frustrating for an energetic 5-year-old. Tumi's pain and suffering was unbearable for her and her traumatised and exhausted mum who was at her bedside day and night tending to her every need.
Tumi had to leave ICU because Medical Aid was complaining about the high cost of ICU. She was then transferred to the Paediatric Ward where she spent another week after which she was discharged.
Once home, it was extremely difficult for her parents to take care of her as they were under pressure from their employers to return to work. Mums teaching position was in jeopardy if she did not return to the classroom. Granny was unable to assist as she is too frail. The mothers of two of Tumi's classmates kindly helped take care of her as often as they could.
After a week at home, Tumi had to be re-admitted to hospital because some of her skin grafts had become infected and in need of urgent attention. This was partly because she was unable to have her dressings changed regularly, due to lack of suitable transport to the hospital.
Help in the form of meals, groceries, food vouchers and get-well gifts have been overwhelming and greatly appreciated by Tumi's family.
A local business donated a geyser and another company did the full installation free of charge.
YOUR HELP WILL BE A 'GODSEND '
On behalf of this family, we appeal to your kindness to donate, no matter how small or big, every bit will help. This is the start of a long road ahead for this beautiful, bubbly little girl who has crept into the hearts of many. She will need extensive Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Medical Care into the future. As a result of this, her parents will need financial help for a time to come.
News supplied by Heritage House PreSchool.