My brother took me to see this old man who must have been in his early 70’s but looked 90 years old.I had not stopped tears coming out of my eyes and I was still very emotional having listened to Sarudzai’s story. Now listening to Sekuru Mabika made me even more tearful than before. Here is his story in his own words.
“I lost my wife 6 years ago to what they call breast cancer. We were not aware of the disease and it came out of the blue. My wife complained of a lump in her breast but because it was not painful she carried on with her normal life. The lump grew bigger and bigger, because we have to pay for medical treatment we did not go to the hospital sooner. My wife was a very brave woman, she did not complain about the pain. When I took her to the hospital it was too late and they said she does not have a long time to live. She died three months after being seen by doctors.
On top of that a few months after my wife died my son and wife died 3 years ago. It is heartbreaking to see your child die before you. It is not right that I should bury my son. The problem is that my son and daughter in law did not get the right medication to treat their illness.
I am now looking after their 3 children and I feel hopeless. The children are aged 12, 9 and 7 years old. I cannot afford to send them to school. Their father got a bit of pension but it is now useless money because of inflation. The money cannot buy a bag of mealie.
I rely on my crops but due to drought I have not been able to make a good return... I cannot even afford to send them to school, let alone buy sugar or cooking oil
I feel like a very, very old man – sometimes I feel like wanting to give up – but when I look at these children - I say to myself I must hang on until God provides help. Because if I give up what is going to happen to these children?“
I looked at my brother and could not answer Sekuru Mabika’s question.
Can we please answer Sekuru Mabika’s question by helping these kids. Please donate generously so that we can give these children a future they deserve?
Roseline Ndoro