MAKONDE - The plight of a disabled, underweight baby came to light when her mother this week found an ear that would listen to her predicament.

Mpho Dala is a nine-month-old baby, who seems to have the weight of a child of two months. But that is not the worst. Mpho was born with little stumps with one solitary finger protruding from each short arm. She was born on 21 April, 2004, as the sixth child of a single mom who is not working at the moment.

Mpho’s mother is the 41-year-old Tshenuwani Violet Dala, who resides in Khubvi village. She lives with five of her children in a two-roomed house. Ms Dala has not as yet managed to receive a disability grant for Mpho. She said that such a grant would be R740 per month. “I do not know the cause of Mpho’s disability, since the doctors at Donald Fraser did not tell me,” Ms Dala said.

She also does not receive the normal child support grant of R170 for Mpho. Ms Dala has hopes for April 22 this year, which is the date that Makwarela Home Affairs Department told her to come.

In the meantime, food has run out in the Dala household.

The concerned mother went to Chief Randima of the Khubvi Tribal Council, who in turn sent her with a letter dated January 15 to Mr Amie Chhaya, well-known philantrophist in the Makhado Municipal area. Chhaya said on Monday (17th) that he would help Ms Dala with maize meal, Purity baby food and clothing for a few months. A very grateful Ms Dala heard from Mr Chhaya that she could ask again when the need arises.