Anonymous Donor Helps Mother Who Carries Disabled Daughter in Plastic Washtub
- On 30 April, Briefly News shared the heartwrenching story of a 13-year-old disabled teen, Yamkela Mafiyane, who is carted around in a plastic bathtub
- Her mother, Buyiswa, pleaded with Mzansi for help to secure a wheelchair for her young daughter
- Thankfully, a good Samaritan stepped up and donated not only a wheelchair but also a voucher for groceries
- Yamkela's thankful mother could stop praising the anonymous donor enough for her kindness
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By Akhona Mongameli - Freelance Journalist
Just 13 days after sharing the story of a mother who transports her disabled daughter around in a plastic basin, a good Samaritan has stepped forward to help the struggling family.
Yamkela Mafiyane, a 13-year-old girl from Ziphunzana in Mthatha, is a disabled teen who is unable to walk or stand on her own.
Source: Original
Just hours after the story was published, a good Samaritan, who wanted to remain anonymous, emailed the Briefly News team to offer not only funds for a wheelchair but also a voucher towards groceries.
When asked why she did not want to be named, the donor said she only wanted to help and make sure that the living conditions of the family are being seen to.
The donor said in an email:
" I just want to give hope to someone as an appreciation of the Grace that we receive from God," were her words."
The Samaritan donated a R2 000 grocery voucher (which cannot be exchanged for cash). She is also in the process of arranging for Yamkela to see a therapeutic specialist in East London to get a custom wheelchair for the teen.
Source: Original
The therapeutic specialist has already received pictures of Yamkela, as well as measurements for a wheelchair. The donor will be carrying all the costs.
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On Wednesday, 12 May, Buyiswa, the teen's mother, managed to take some time off to head to the mall to buy essential groceries for the household.
"I feel as if the load on my shoulders is getting lighter," the thankful mother added.
After filling three shopping trolleys with food and household essentials as well as some warm clothing for Yamkela, Buyiswa said:
"I am very thankful for this donation. I wish that whoever donated to us not only does this for us and may she continue doing this for others as well. I wish for her all the best."
Eartlier, Briefly News reported that Buyiswa said life was a challenge for Yamkela. At 13 years old she still does not know the joys of playing with other children in the park or outside.
She is always under the cautious eye of her 47-year-old mother. When her doting and loving mother took her outside to get a little sun, Yamkela was carried in a small, plastic round washtub that often broke.
Buyiswa said:
"I cannot even try to say I am going to look for a job because if I am not around, no one will help me with my child while I work. Not having a wheelchair for my daughter has been such a problem for me, that's not even considering the financial stresses we face because we only survive on Yamkela's child disability grant," Buyiswa told Briefly News.
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Source: Briefly News
Rianette Cluley (Director and Editor-in-Chief) Rianette Cluley is the managing editor of Briefly News (joined in 2016). Previously, she worked as a journalist and photographer for award-winning publications within the Caxton group (joined in 2008). She also attended the Journalism AI Academy powered by the Google News Initiative and passed a set of trainings for journalists from Google News initiative. In February 2024, she hosted a workshop titled AI for Journalists: Power Up Your Reporting Ethically and was a guest speaker at the Forum of Community Journalists No Guts, No Glory, No Story conference. E-mail: rianette.cluley@briefly.co.za
Kelly Lippke (Senior Editor) Kelly Lippke is a copy editor/proofreader who started her career at the Northern-Natal Courier with a BA in Communication Science/Psychology (Unisa, 2007). Kelly has worked for several Caxton publications, including the Highway Mail and Northglen News. Kelly’s unique editing perspective stems from an additional major in Linguistics. Kelly joined Briefly News in 2018 and she has 14 years of experience. Kelly has also passed a set of trainings by Google News Initiative. You can reach her at kelly.lippke@briefly.co.za.
