A small boy is suffering from a big lump that has developed on his private parts. He can go for more than three days without urinating and it is now difficult for him to move around, as the lump is painful and grows bigger on a daily basis.

The tumour, now bigger than a tennis ball, is so painful that the boy is always in tears, day and night. Rasimphi Tshivhase (1 year, 7 months) of Matangari-Tshitakani village, north of Thohoyandou, has never known peaceful sleep since the lump developed when he was only three months old. A concerned community member alerted Mirror to the little boy’s life of hardship. The small boy’s single and unemployed mother, Alilali (25), says she has done her best to have the lump cured, but nothing fruitful has happened.

“My only hope is Mirror because I have heard that many people are getting assistance through the paper. I am now tired and find life valueless as I am always worried about my child’s future. What is the use of enjoying life while my son is suffering on a daily basis?” said the weeping mother, who has two other kids to look after.

Alilali survives on her three children’s child-support grants.

Allilali said she took the child to Tshiombo Clinic when she realized that there was something wrong with his private parts when he was three months old. “Staff at Tshiombo Clinic referred me to Donald Fraser Hospital. I was again referred to Tshilidzini Hospital, where doctors said they could only operate when the child became one year and five months old. I again took him back and they postponed the treatment, saying they could operate on him when he becomes two years old. I don’t know what will happen when I take him back when he becomes two. Doctors cannot tell me exactly what is wrong with the boy’s private parts. I cannot even afford expensive medical attention for my boy because of my poor financial situation.”

Alilali said she has tried everything to have the tumour healed without success. “I have consulted traditional healers, men of the cloth and spiritual healers but none of them could cure my child. I seriously believe these are the works of the evil people who want to see my innocent boy suffering on a daily basis.”

Alilali says all she wants is for the boy to be healed and enjoy life like other kids. “I want him to enjoy the precious gift of life like others. He is now bedridden because the tumour makes his life difficult. I cannot even put him on my back because the lump is too painful. I need community members to help me before it becomes too late because my boy deserves to have a bright future like others.”

Sympathetic community members who want to assist the suffering little boy can call 082 367 1659 or 072 351 0164 or alternatively visit the family at Matangari village, east of Tshiombo near Mufhandani T-junction.