"Oh, God is great! He does not forget his own children". Those were the words of Nancy Siweya, the mother of Fortune Khumalo of Jilongo, after receiving a gift for the family from a well-known Thohoyandou businessman.

Mr Tshifhiwa Lukoto of CTL Tours and CTL Workshop made a donation of R2 000 to the family at the company´s headquarters in Thohoyandou a fortnight ago.

Lukoto said he learned about the family’s plight after reading an article in this paper. "I imagined the pain the boy went through and the poverty that was like a plague to the family and then I decided to do something for the family," he said.

Lukoto said when his friend, Wisani Baloyi, told him that he had also done something for the family, he felt so encouraged that he wasted no time and donated the money. "I grew up in a family that cared for all needy people and this had built up in me. I am always ready to help in worthy causes where possible," he said.

Lukoto said he donated the money in a spirit of goodwill. "I wanted to ease the family´s pain, so that they enjoy their lives like any other family and I hope that the little that I gave them will make a difference," he said. He said it was very painful to see some people going to bed on empty stomachs while others have more than enough.

"God did not bless us in order to look down upon the less fortunate but to bless them also. I think it´s time that we businesspeople start to take our communities seriously as they are the ones who make us who we are. Let´s plough back into these communities," he said. Lukoto is not new to donating as he is involved in education development projects like the one at Dengenya Secondary School, where the best matric student walked away with a cash incentive of R1 500 this year.

He also provides free transport to learners at the same school and to other needy organizations.

Fortune’s mother was short of words to express her gratitude. She said the love and warmth she was receiving from members of the community was wonderful. She said the donation she received from Lukoto will go a long way in soothing the family from their pain and restore their dignity. "May God bless this man and his businesses that he continues taking care of us and others," she said.

Fortune Khumalo, a Grade 3 learner at Shigombe Primary School, lost his manhood to a suspected human parts merchant who allegedly sliced them off last August. A suspect, Lucky Simango, was arrested in connection with the case. He appeared in court and was denied bail and remanded in custody.

Meanwhile, Fortune is back at school and is responding well to treatment. He still needs to go to hospital for further treatment and surgery. The Fortune Khumalo Family fund is still open and those wishing to make contributions can still do so. The account number is 62151417360 at FNB Malamulele.