By Petronella Sibeene WINDHOEK Five-year-old Felesiana Nauwake, who was diagnosed with noma three years ago, returned from Pretoria yesterday where she underwent surgery. This was the second step in the process to rebuild Felesiana’s face. Two more operations are inevitable in future. While the operation was described as successful, Nauwake, who spent 12 hours in the theatre for the surgery process to be completed, is still in desperate need of N$80ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ 000 to cover her remaining medical costs. John Kady Shigwedha, spokesperson for Namwater, an institution that took the initiative to open a trust fund to collect money for Nauwake, yesterday strongly appealed to the Namibian people to assist in this situation. “We are under pressure to pay this amount to the doctors”, Shigwedha said. Shigwedha, who described the surgery as successful, added that members of the Board of Trustees had to plead with the hospital to discharge the child while they solicit funds from good Samaritans. So far, hospital bills have exceeded N$300ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ 000. The operation was carried out at Kloff Medi-Clinic in Pretoria. Those who would like to show their support, could deposit the money in Felesiana Nauwake Trust, First National Bank, Ausspanplatz Branch, Account Number 6209 2319 146. Nauwake will have to travel to Pretoria again in six months’ time to have the stitches removed and t undergo further medical examinations including the reconstruction of the left side of her nose. Nauwake had her first operation in November 2005 to save her eye. She was first diagnosed with this form of cancer in December 2003 in the Oshakati Hospital. Because of her condition, she was abandoned by her biological mother. A good Samaritan, Jenetolia Nafuka, took the girl in and travelled to Windhoek, a move that enabled little Nauwake to get help. Noma is a cancerous disease that usually leads to tissue destruction, especially that of the mouth and cheek. The mucous membranes develop ulcers and rapid, painless tissue degeneration ensues, which can weaken the bones in the face too.