TSHIMBUPFE - Two months ago, Mirror published the story of Andani Mphaphuli (13), a Grade 6 pupil of Sigwavhulimu Primary School at Tshimbupfe, Venda. The boy was discriminated against by other learners, because he was disfigured, after his stepfather had poured petrol over him and set him alight.

His stepfather, Itani Mudau, was found guilty by the Thohoyandou regional court five months ago, and is now serving 107 years in jail without the option of a fine. After the Mirror heard that the pupils of Sigwavhulimu primary School are discriminating against Andani, we visited the school. The principal of the school, Mr Samson Masuvhelele, acknowledged that the learners were discriminating against Andani because of his handicap.

Last week Mirror revisited Sigwavhulimu Primary School and noticed some changes within the school. The learners are now treating Andani as a human being, just like them.

Some of the learners lend him a pen as a symbol of love towards him. When it is time to eat during break, the learners are also giving him a special place to get food and soup, thereby taking care of him.

The principal Samson Masuvhelele said that, since Mirror published the story about discrimination against Andani in the school, he had gone to every class to warn the learners to take care of him.

"I would like to thank Mirror for their story about the plight of Andani and other learners. After the parents read about that situation in Mirror they warned their children to treat Andani as a human being, and even my educators warned pupils in the class," said Masuvhelele.

His mother, Livhuwani Murundwa, who is unemployed, said that if her child could get plastic surgery, he could continue with his studies, as he is strong intellectually and has the potential to make a success of any career.

Last month Andani was returned to Tshilidzini Hospital, and again transferred to Pietersburg Hospital for further treatment. They failed to attend to him, however, due to some serious wounds around his face. The doctors postponed the treatment to the first week of September 2003.

The young boy still feels some pain and he needs plastic surgery, but he doesn't know where he can get help to continue with his education.