9th Sep 2010 12:25:38 PM The Charities | The Children | Dorah Mokoena | Health | Schools / Training | Community | Regional Reports | UMashesha Home Amanda Simanga New Amukelani Dube New Andani Mphaphuli New Anele Nyongwana New Babalwa Debele New Bafana Nzima New Balombo Bambula New Basheeba Worlotoe New Boipelo Mosegedi New Bongani Madlala New Bongani Phakati New Bonginkosi New Brendan New Chris M New Deon Slabbert New Dikeledi Mboko New Doreen New Ernest Tshabalala New Evelyn Minto Essono's New Feleng New Franklin New Fursy Mogobe New Gabriel New Gloria New Gontise Mogotsi New Habiba New Helen Matondo New Irene Peta New Jabulani Malungane New Jacques Abrahams New Janine Barends New Jaun Henning New Jeffers Zitha New Jose New Jose Mvula New Kagiso Maphoso New Kagiso Mathebula New Kagiso Mphuti New Karabo Thebedi New Kedibone New Kenyan New Kjetil Sandivk Havnen New Koketso Sekuru New Lee Branco New Liane Grond New Lida Basson New Linda Nana Tshbalala New Londeka Ngidi New Maje New Marco Bronkhorst New Mbali New Mfundo Ntamehlo New Michelle Mthenjwa New Mimi New Mittah New Mlungisi New Mohau Qumpula New Mpho Maja New Musa Zwane New Musiwa New Neliswe Radebe New Nelson Tsabalala New Nkululeko New Nouna boy New Nsizwa Vilakazi New Nyakallo New Oscar Mlondolozi Hadebe New Phindile New Piet Moloja New Reagan New Rolivhuwa Matodzi New Rose Wambua New Rumbi New Saloma Aphanye New Sameh Chiboub New Samkelo Sole New Samukelo Radebe New Seif New Seizo New Selamawit New Shirley Seqobane New Sicelo New Simamkele New Sithembiso Hlatshwayo New Siyabonga Morwasetla New Siyabonga Nokumbi New Siyamthanda New Sizwe New Steven Marakeng Mpyana New Sunday Mukaza New Tapera Jani New Tavonga New Thapelo New Thomas New Thulani Nhleko New Tshepiso Sekuru New Vhahangwele Matodz New Vivian New Vusi Mathibela New Xavier New Yassine Ben Ali New Zanele Jeza New Zenette and Precious Van Wyke New Zianda Ndlovu New Zipho Zwane New Lee Branco                 Lee Branco was born on the 16th October 1998 to Kathleen Alma Branco. His father's identity is not known. He has been raised partly by his mother and partly byhis great aunt 'Pano' Jooste. Mrs Jooste said that she took him out of the Jubilee Home, an orphanage, when he was two years old. On 18th July 2001, Lee was officially placed in foster care with Mr and Mrs C Jooste of Lowther Street 52/54, Witfield, Boksburg. On 7th September 2003, Lee's elder foster brother Zahn Jooste (then aged 11) was playing with benzene in the garage. Lee walked in with a hot stick from the braai (barbeque) which set the benzene alight and was badly burned on his face and legs. He was taken to a private hospital in Germiston called Rose Acres, which allegedly cost some R16000 for three days of treatment including medical supplies such as Flamazine. The family apparently did not want to take the child to the geographically-closer Oliver Tambo medical centre. Lee would have been entitled to free treatment at a state facility.After initial treatment and some home remedies e.g. using pantyhose instead of pressure garments, Mrs Jooste took Lee for assessment by cosmetic surgeon Hennie Roos. On December 23rd 2003, he commented on the severe hypertropic scarring and the possibility for serial treatment over some three to four years. Dr Roos set the costs of surgery at: R2500 for the anaesthetist, R7500 for the hospital and R10000 for the surgery. This would involve 'serial excision of burns and advancement of neck skin into the burn area'. He talked of using tissue expanders for the face. The procedure would be repeated at six monthly intervals, with costs escalating by some ten per cent a year. The total cost for reconstructing Lee's face was put at R120000. This did not include any work on Lee's legs despite the fact that there are already contractures where the skin is tearing and scabby. Mrs Jooste said that a friend had given her R1000 towards the surgery. Otherwise she was paying R420 a month for Grade R despite the fact that foster children do not need to pay for schooling and she receives R460 a month as a foster grant for the child. Children of Fire has referred the child to Johannesburg General Hospital's plastic and reconstructive surgery department in March 2004 as well as the hospital's occupational therapy department. Mrs Jooste is proud of the fact that the little boy entered modelling competitions before his burns injury. She continues to enter him into competitions, putting make-up on his face and generally covering his injured legs. She says that modelling gives Lee confidence. Children of Fire suggested that acting rather than modelling might provide the same level of confidence. This material is Copyright © The Dorah Mokoena Charitable Trust and/or Children of Fire , 1998-2010. Distribution or re-transmission of this material, excluding the Schools' Guide, is expressly forbidden without prior permission of the Trust. For further information, email firechildren@icon.co.za About Children of Fire | Contact us | Advertise with us COPYRIGHT © 2010 Children of Fire. All rights reserved. Designed Developed and Maintained by Fyre Interactive