5th Sep 2010 7:38:49 AM 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 Kagiso Maphoso My name is Kagiso Maphoso. I was born 18th April 1985. I am 25 years old and I have a son Tshegofatso, who is six years old. I love him very much. His father does not support him or live with us. I had matriculated before I had my son. I had a university exemption. Now I am studying criminology by correspondence course. I'd like a job with Metro Police. I think it is interesting. I live in Suurman in Hammanskraal. It is a local taxi from Salome's place (R5 or R6 depending on which way you use). I visited Salome once with Kate and once I was alone. When it's raining, yoh, they're[Salome's family] in water. It's two shacks; it's not ok. I am not sure if they have electricity. Kate had to leave her car two roads before you get to Salome's house, because there was so much mud. I live in a brick-built house - big stock bricks. I live there with my brother, sister, her two children, my Mum, my Stepdad, my child. Nine in one house. Four bedrooms. We have electricity, we have a garden, we don't grow vegetables. I do have the seeds; I don't know what's keeping me. My sister (born 1981) has two children - the father of the first one lives in Lefatlheng.. the father of the second one in Limpopo. She is a data typist in the forensic department in Silverton near Mamelodi. How did I get burned? It's a difficult question. I was burned when I was eight months old in 1985. My mother told me she was working by then; I stayed behind with my aunt who was still in school herself. She poured boiling water in the bath, realised it was too hot to wash, and went to get some cold water. I fell off the bed and inside the bath of hot water. I don't know what happened next. What I do know was that at George Mukhari Hospital (it used to be called Garankua) while I was at Primary School I started going there on and on until I did my Matric; I it seemed I was there every school holiday. They operated on my left foot contracture but it has contracted again. They wanted to amputate my left little finger but I'd rather have my finger, so I am not going back. I'm mostly burned on the left leg and arm. I'm a little scarred below by stomach but I don't know why I had a caesarean birth for my son because my burns there aren't so bad. When I was in grade 1 or 2 I was jumping on the bed and I fell, cutting my left eyebrow so I have a scar from that accident too. I also have a back problem from the time I gave birth. At the government hospital they don't explain, they just cut. After birth I started suffering the back pains. That needle was big and it hurt. It was the epidural. I sweep with a broom, I don't kneel down. I don't do my own laundry. My back hurts if I do that sort of work and my hand gets damaged by the soap, especially my left hand. I do help with the chores though and I fetch water with the wheelbarrow. It's not far to the pipe. We have pipes at the house but they don't work; I don't know why. I have gold on my front teeth. My aunt did it with her medical aid. I am not covered by her medical aid, but I like the gold and the dentist liked the money. In 1988 my father died. I was on the Internet searching for things and then I found Children of Fire. That's why I came to visit Children of Fire in July 2010, after a lot of emails. 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