This weekend, several surgeons and health specialists welcomed a 9-year-old child from Zimbabwe to a private clinic in Johannesburg. In early May, the boy was attacked by a hyena during a nightly religious ceremony outside.
as reported from Johannesburg, Romain Song
The child lost an eye, a nose and part of the mouth and forehead. Touched by this tragedy, South African caregivers managed to mobilize teams and donations to have this child and function for free. It all started with a phone call to a nurse one evening in May.
One week after the attack, Maqshuda Kajee, a nurse who specializes in trauma and patient transport, receives a call from a colleague. “She sent pictures of me and asked if I could take the child to South Africa for care. And I said to him, “Listen, I can always try.” You know, as a mom, this kind of thing touches you ”.
Maqshuda Kajee spent the following weeks raising money and support. An airline offers the trip, surgeons gather a team to work for free, donations flow in to fund the boy’s medication and recovery. Rodwell Khomazana finally arrived in South Africa on Saturday, June 19, a month after the attack. The child is greeted at the clinic with songs. This is a first challenge that Maqshuda Kajee has succeeded in.
“Yes, the fact that he arrived in South Africa is already exceptional. But now the most difficult part is ahead of us. In particular, several heavy operations. We must teach him again to eat, smile and speak correctly after all these operations. ”
So that he finds the smile, Rodwell Khomazana will also be followed psychologically to overcome this trauma. In his hospital room he is not alone, his mother accompanies him.
On Monday, Rodwell Khomazana will have to undergo initial tests under anesthesia to determine what will be the next surgery.
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