15.DUDUZILE: 14 YEARS

Duduzile is a 14 year old Zimbabwe boy who has a hereditary eye condition. He is doing form 2. Duduzile’s teacher, Manzimunyama said Duduzile is struggling with school work due to the health condition. A well wisher on 22 May 2018 asked Hope for Zimbabwe Children (HFZC) for assistance after he saw Duduzile struggling at a school with no help. Writing to HFZC, the well wisher said, I have a small charity program in which I pay school fees for some kids in Zhombe. One of the teachers at the school contacted me with a problem that is greater than I can handle. There is a young boy with an eye condition that needs special medical attention. I’m doing this in the hope that you can find help for this young man. He has this condition since he was 8 years old now he is 14 years. The father Takesure Khumalo had almost the same condition but he says it was a bit different now the father has lost vision in one eye. They are from a poverty stricken rural area in Zhombe and nothing is being done and the Duduzile’s condition is worsening. His parents are unemployed and struggling to make ends meet.

Duduzile’s eye is dangerously out of the socket and he is in excruciating pain. He is struggling at school too as the eye ‘tears’. His face is swollen and the mother said Duduzile is having bouts of on and off flu and struggles to breathe because one nostril is now almost covered by the growth.  The condition gets worse when he has flu because one nostril is blocked by the growth which affects the whole left side of the face. He is in constant pain and gets constant headaches. The mother said Duduzile is struggling to eat following the growth which started to bother him since 2009. Ever since he was diagnosed with the growth on the eye, the growth has not stopped growing and it is protruding to the jaw and cheek and stretching his nose. Duduzile has difficulties eating and now survives on liquids as the growth continues to swell. Zimbabwe doctors have failed to treat Duduzile as he needs specialist treatment and have been referred to South Africa for an urgent operation. The poverty stricken family relies on food handouts from other villagers.  The parents told Hope For Zimbabwe Children that prior to approaching Hope for Zimbabwe Children they had not received any medical help from anyone, as the country’s health system is dead thus their only hope is in our organisation.

Hope for Zimbabwe Children has been working on the case in partnership with the support of Makadho foundation. The intention was to arrange that Duduzile seek medical help outside Zimbabwe and Makadho foundation assisted Duduzile and his father to get passports and met all associated costs from offering Duduzile and father shelter, food, transport money and medical costs as they applied for passports in Harare and at the same time seeing doctors in Harare the costs paid for by Makadho foundation. Hope for Zimbabwe Children) also donated cash to the cause. The journey out of Zimbabwe failed to materialize due to logistics challenges as family have no relative in South Africa to offer accommodation and also a surgeon who Hope for Zimbabwe Children contacted in South Africa was not forth coming in as far as operating Duduzile was concerned.   In November 2019, Hope for Zimbabwe Children visited Duduzile in Zhombe, Gokwe and met him and his mother .The immediate plan was to go to Karanda mission hospital with Duduzile and his father, in case he could be helped there hoping for a breakthrough. Unfortunately when Hope for Zimbabwe Children visited the family, Duduzile’s father was not around as he had gone to look for lost cattle. Then came covid19 travelling, restrictions and access to health challenges and all plans were put on hold. Hope for Zimbabwe Children continues to work with Duduzile and family hoping we will find a breakthrough as soon as covid19 critical issues are out of the way to allow easier travelling and access health care in neighbouring South Africa if possible. Duduzile’s condition is urgent, and ongoing advocacy and support are essential for him to receive the medical attention he desperately needs. Hope for Zimbabwe Children remains dedicated to helping Duduzile and his family, striving to navigate the logistical and healthcare obstacles they face. Duduzile’s situation is deeply concerning and highlights the critical intersection of health, education, and poverty faced by many families in Zimbabwe. His condition, which has worsened over the years, requires urgent medical intervention that is inaccessible within the local healthcare system. Hope for Zimbabwe Children (HFZC), in collaboration with the Makadho Foundation, has made significant efforts to help Duduzile and his family, but challenges remain.

• Health Issues: Duduzile’s eye is dangerously out of its socket and is causing him excruciating pain. The growth affecting his eye is pushing against his jaw, cheek, and nose, causing facial swelling and blocking one nostril. He experiences constant headaches and struggles to breathe, particularly when he has flu-like symptoms. Due to his condition, Duduzile can only eat liquids and suffers from significant weight loss.
• Family Background: The Khumalo family lives in a poverty-stricken rural area and relies on food handouts from their community. Both parents are unemployed and unable to afford necessary medical treatments. They have not received any prior assistance within Zimbabwe, where the healthcare system is severely lacking.
• Outreach and Assistance: A well-wisher alerted Hope for Zimbabwe Children (HFZC) about Duduzile’s plight. HFZC, in partnership with the Makadho Foundation, has taken steps to assist Duduzile by: Arranging for medical treatment outside of Zimbabwe. Helping the family secure passports and covering associated costs such as accommodation, food, and transport to seek medical help and providing financial support for the family’s immediate needs.
• Current Situation: Despite initial arrangements, logistical challenges have hindered the family’s ability to travel to South Africa for surgery. The COVID-19 pandemic further complicated efforts to obtain necessary healthcare, resulting in delays. HFZC remains committed to finding a solution for Duduzile, hoping for a breakthrough as pandemic restrictions ease, allowing for better access to healthcare.
• Future Steps: Re-evaluate travelling plans once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, focusing on safe accommodation solutions in South Africa. Seek further medical consultations and surgical options for Duduzile with specialized surgeons. Continue to provide support to the Khumalo family to ensure Duduzile’s basic needs are met in the interim.
• Urgent Medical Intervention: Given the severity of Duduzile’s condition, securing an appointment with a specialized surgeon who has experience with his specific eye condition is paramount. Efforts should focus on reaching out to multiple medical facilities and surgeons in South Africa who may have the capacity to assist.
• Funding Support: To help cover medical costs related to Duduzile’s treatment, it may be beneficial to create a dedicated fundraising campaign targeting local and international donors who are willing to support medical cases for children in need. Utilizing social media platforms and crowdfunding sites may amplify this outreach.
• Logistics and Accommodation Planning: Since accommodation logistics have been a barrier, HFZC should consider connecting with local NGOs or community groups in South Africa that can provide temporary housing for Duduzile and his father during their stay for medical treatment.
• Patient Advocacy: Assigning a dedicated advocacy team member who can follow through with Duduzile’s case will ensure consistent communication with medical facilities, help navigate any bureaucratic challenges related to healthcare access, and manage logistics associated with medical travel.
• Health Monitoring: In the interim, it is essential to monitor Duduzile’s condition closely. Collaborating with local healthcare providers in Zimbabwe may help ensure that he receives ongoing care and pain management as the family navigates seeking treatment abroad.
• Psychosocial Support: Considering the emotional and psychological impact of Duduzile’s condition, it would be beneficial to provide him and his family with access to counseling services. This support can help them cope with the stress and uncertainty surrounding his health challenges.
• Community Mobilization: Engaging the local community to provide support can alleviate some of the family’s burdens. Mobilizing community resources for daily needs like food support, transport, and emotional assistance will help sustain them while they seek treatment for Duduzile.
• Continued Collaboration with Makadho Foundation: Maintaining strong ties with the Makadho Foundation will be critical to ensure that all logistical needs and funding continue to be addressed. Regular check-ins between organizations can facilitate smooth communication regarding Duduzile’s progress.
• Educational Support: Finding ways to support Duduzile’s education during this challenging time is essential. Work with his school to explore options for remote learning or alternative educational resources that can adapt to his current health challenges, should travel and treatment be delayed.
• Long-term Health Strategy: As the situation stabilizes, it may be helpful to develop a long-term health strategy that addresses potential follow-up treatments or therapies required after the initial operation, as well as preventative care to avoid further complications. Duduzile’s well-being and access to necessary medical treatment is urgent matters. By coordinating the efforts of HFZC, collaborating with the Makadho Foundation, and engaging the community, it is possible to forge a path forward for Duduzile that not only addresses his immediate medical needs but also provides him with the support network he requires as he faces these challenges. Continuously assessing and adapting the support mechanisms in place will help ensure that Duduzile has the best chance for a healthier and more fulfilling life.