KHUBVI – Help from sympathetic Mirror readers is still pouring in for an ailing liver patient, Mr Fhatuwani Sikhipha (46), whose sad story appeared in this paper a fortnight ago.

He is now bedridden as a result of a liver disorder, which causes his stomach to bulge. He is no longer able to support his wife and seven kids because he is unable to work.

Officials from the Department of Health and Welfare visited the family shortly after the publication of the article to assess the situation and to find out how best the family could be assisted. The liaison officer of the Department of Health and Welfare, Thohoyandou Area, Mr Nnditsheni Mudau, told Mirror that the best way to assist Fhatuwani is to speed up the process for him to acquire the government’s disability grant.

“As a department, we felt that it would be unfair for Sikhipha to survive on handouts through and through. We are assisting him to acquire his disability grant as soon as possible. We have urgently sent his disability grant application to the assessment panel and we hope we will receive a positive response soon,” said Mudau.

Apart from the R1 000 cash donation by a well-known Thohoyandou businessman, Mr Abdullah Patel, more readers called Mirror to offer their assistance to Fhatuwani and his family.

Mr Sawid Mathya, a businessman from Malamulele, donated groceries worth R400 to the family and he further told Mirror that he would continue to offer groceries to the family on a monthly basis until Fhatuwani recovers and works for his family.

Mr Baldwin Rembuluwani of Dishume Building Constructors and Munombelo Hotel could not wait anymore after reading about Sikhipha’s plight in the Mirror. He visited the family and donated groceries. Staff members of Khubvi Primary School also visited the family to donate groceries and other community members handed Sikhipha some herbal medication to improve his health.

Community leaders and members from different denominations flocked to the family to express their sympathy after the story was published. Others also hold prayer services to ask God to strengthen Fhatuwani in his difficult times. The family also received gifts from individual community members who were deeply touched by the article.

During Mirror’s recent visit to the family, Fhatuwani had not enough words to thank the overwhelming support he got from Mirror readers. “Thank you a thousand times…” That was all he could say.

Members of the community who still want to help the family can call 072 351 0164.