The parents of young Bums Morwatshehla, 13, are making a desperate appeal to anyone who can assist them in restoring the original shape of their son’s neck.

Bums, a grade eight learner who is planning to pursue a career in Geology when he passes matric, has been subjected to all kinds of abuse and comments from his peers in Nancefield, Musina, since he developed a growth on his neck that came after he had sustained burn wounds.

His unemployed father, Joe, says: “My son burnt on the neck and right ear while he was still younger than 12 months. He was just learning to crawl, when he grabbed a kettle of hot water in the kitchen and suffered burns to his neck. Although the scars did not look that serious, doctors suggested that he be operated on, so that he could regain his normal skin. Doctors from Gauteng hospitals removed flesh from his thighs in order to restore the damage to his neck.’

“After the operation, a growth developed in his neck which led to second, third and fourth operations, with no success,”explains Joe while adding that his wife’s medical aid is now exhausted because of the huge bill from the four operations.

Bums’ mother, Merriam, a teacher in the area, says: “I am appealing to anyone who can help us to find a solution to help restore the shape of our son’s neck.” Merriam says son is living an isolated life, because he does not want to play with other kids as they scorn him.

Anyone who wants to help can phone Bum’s father at 072 394 1522 or his mother at 082 663 7801.