At the tender age of six, Ndivho Nephawe has already experienced the real meaning of what suffering is all about. Born healthy and bouncy and full of dreams, the little boy’s wishes were crushed when he was attacked by a mysterious disease earlier this year.

The agony of the little boy, who stays at Vhurivhuri-Ngwenani village, south of Hamakuya, started when he developed a small pimple on his right thigh. The pimple grew bigger and bigger, making it impossible for him to play, sleep or go to school. He only attended the first two months of his school days at the local Tshibalo Primary School before he could not take it any longer. His once healthy body has now been reduced to a shadow of his own as he becomes leaner day by day. He had also developed lumps on his head, which make it "shapeless". More painfully, the sores in his mouth make his life a misery.

The little boy’s unemployed grandmother, Joyce Nephawe, said she had done her best to have Ndivho cured, but to no avail. The boy’s mother, Thinavhuyo Nephawe, survives through piece jobs in Gauteng. Except for Ndivho, she has a healthy nine-month-old baby. "My grandchild was very healthy until he was attacked by this illness. At first we thought he had a minor problem with his leg but we became worried when he said the pain in his leg did not stop. We realized that there was a small pimple which grew up to be such a big lump. We then tried different forms of medical assistance but his condition has worsened over time."

Joyce said she took the boy to Donald Fraser and Tshilidzini Hospitals and several doctors but no one can say exactly what the boy is suffering from. "We also consulted the clergy, traditional healers and spiritual healers but the boy has never been healed. We just wake up in the morning and see him sufferer because there is nothing else we can do. He could not even walk, so he is always on my back."

She says some traditional healers say the boy is suffering from Tshipfula and they demanded huge sums of money to treat him. "Although I am unemployed, I managed to raise R1 500 and paid a traditional healer but the boy’s condition never improved. My hut is like a traditional chemist because it is full of medicines. I now humbly request members of the community to come to my rescue because this boy needs to enjoy life like everyone of us."

Mirror has learnt that, shortly after our visit, local home-based care officials pleaded with Joyce to take the boy to the local clinic. An ambulance was summoned and the boy was rushed to Donald Fraser Hospital. The community liaison officer at the hospital, Nnditsheni Mathule, says he is not allowed to divulge the information in the file of the patient unless with the approval of the doctor or family member.

Community members who would like to help the suffering boy can call 079 786 1497 or 082 077 2822.