DZIMAULI - An unemployed single mother needs public assistance to raise her five-year old triplets, two boys and a girl.

Ms Alice Mukhathi (31) said it is difficult to raise the triplets, but she is not prepared to give them up for adoption as she views them as a wonderful gift from God. The triplets, Ndivhuwo, Rolivhuwa and Rotshidzwa, were born on January 8, 1999.

Apart from the triplets, Alice also takes care of her four-year-old daughter, Surprise. Alice and her kids live at Dzimauli-Tshibvumo, a rural village north of Thohoyandou.

“I have kept this burden to myself for years now. I think this is the time to go public and request assistance as I can no longer afford to raise these kids on my own. They need to enjoy life like any other kids, but due to my poor financial background, the kids no longer find life as pleasant as it should be.”

Although each of the kids receives a R170 monthly government support grant, Alice said the total amount of R510 for all the kids is not enough to cater for all their needs. “They need a balanced diet, clothes and school funds as they are now doing their Grade R at the local Mboneni Primary School. I want them to have a bright future so that they may become responsible adults who will be able to contribute to the development of society. It is very difficult to maintain them, as I have to buy three items (like pairs of shoes) at once. They sleep on a grass mat as I can not even afford to buy a bed for them.”

Alice and her kids do not have a house of their own. They are living with Alice’s mother, Sarah (52), who has been unemployed for many years. To make the matters worse, Sarah also has her own five children to look after.

Alice further said life became more difficult for her when she was involved in a car accident in 2002. “I lost two teeth and my right eye is seriously injured. I sometimes suffer from unbearable pain on the right part of my body and this makes it difficult to do eve-rything for my kids. I tried to apply for a government grant, as I can no longer work properly, but my application has never received any positive response.”

Alice was quick to mention that she has great dreams for her triplets: “They are the apples of my eye and I love them dearly. There are people who could not conceive a single child but I am happy because I know God did not make a mistake by giving me these wonderful gifts. I will be grateful if members of the community could assist me in raising the kids.”

She concluded by saying that she would appreciate any form of assistance, as she needs her kids to grow up without any difficulty. Those who would like to assist Alice can call 072 351 0164.