There is nothing more heartfelt than putting a smile on a child’s face – or in this case, restoring that smile. This was the sentiment from FirstRand Namibia Foundation trustee Magda Awases during a donation ceremony this week of N$200 000 to two beneficiaries who were to undergo an operation.
“We all share a mutual passion to help provide life-changing medical treatment and improve the quality of life of vulnerable children suffering from severe health conditions,” shared Awases.
The donation is to empower medical professionals with the funding and resources they need to provide free cleft lip and palate surgery as well as comprehensive cleft care to Namibian children.
The donation was directed to the Nampharm Foundation.
The Nampharm Foundation was founded with the main purpose of utilising funds to provide medicine, medical treatments and information sessions for persons suffering from specified illnesses in Namibia.
The foundation is a children’s trust fund, assisting only State patients.
The two beneficiaries are Evaristus Shikamba, who, after a successful first operation, is scheduled to undergo a lip pallet operation – and Rodney Ngatjizeko, who was scheduled to undergo his first operation.
Nampharm Foundation manager Carol Musarurwa stated they have assisted more than 185 children with voluntary doctors: “Some of these children need more than one corrective surgery, and we have spent over N$2.6 million in the last five years. This year, we already performed 31 procedures and spent N$565 000”.
Evaristus Shikamba’s mother Vanessa Matroos shared her story, saying on 19 December 2017, she gave birth to her daughter, who had a cleft lip and cleft palate.
“It was my first time going through such a situation, and I was heartbroken. I lost all the hope – but after I met the foundation, they brought my hope back,” said Matroos.
Rodney Ngatjizeko’s mother Clever Ngatjizeko said it was not an easy experience, and it was a moment of darkness, but the foundation brought light to her life.
– mndjavera@nepc.com.na