9th Sep 2010 12:59:51 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 Jaun Henning                 Jaun Henning and his sister fell asleep in front of the television on Friday evening, 20 July 2001. Their parents covered them with blankets on the couch and went to bed. In the early hours of 21 July 2001, an electrical short in a plug in the TV room, started the fire, razing the house to the ground. Jannie Henning, the diabetic father, managed to get the family out of the house, but his daughter died after ten days in the intensive care unit. The family claim that they were charged double the cost for the helicopter for both children. Jaun was left covered with 3rd degree burns. He had fifty reconstructive operations to repair the extensive damage to his body, including to his lungs and voicebox. For months Jaun had to have oxygen administered every ten minutes to ensure that he could breathe. His medical costs over a year were more than 1.7 million SA rands. His mother has medical aid but said it did not cover all bills nor his monthly needs which she put at R2000. The family's home was insured through their bond (mortgage) and so it was rebuilt, but the household contents were not insured. They have considered taking legal action for compensation as there seems some doubt over electrical compliance at the time of purchase; a fact that the bond provider allegedly should have been aware of. Another child that the charity has assisted, called Samkelo, is taking power parastatal Eskom to court for R12 million in 2002/2003. His case is based not on his kite touching the powerlines (the electrical surge then amputating his hands), but in the company having an obligation to educate the general public about the dangers of electricity, and allegedly failing to do so. The website will carry an update on the case once it is settled. Family circumstances Jaun's family is substantially better off than most that the charity seeks to assist, as they have a proper house, a car, good-sized garden and two dogs. One of the dogs, Jockey, was provided by Children of Fire through its link with TV actress Nathalie Bollt. Nathalie plays 'Joey' in the soapie Isidingo and her mother runs an animal sanctuary in Hartebeesportdam called HAWS. The family wanted a younger dog to accompany their existing more-elderly pet and it is hoped that the dog is also therapeutic for Jaun. Children of Fire Trust is also administering some R6000 raised through public donations to the Felicia on E television show, for Jaun. Hannelie has asked for the money for petrol and related costs and by early January 2003 had drawn R1800 from the fund. In addition to this, the charity passed on R500 in Edgars clothing vouchers for Jaun from chat show host Felicia Mabuza Suttle. The family have used the media to appeal separately to Jaun's personal account and, according to the Saturday Star newspaper, have garnered R80,000 from the Gold Reef City entertainment centre to go towards medical prosthesis for Jaun's hands. A ground-breaking operation is said to be taking place in March 2003 in Cape Town to give him working digits on one hand within two weeks, but the exact procedure that is intended is not yet known to the charity. Instead of the expensive see-through dressings typically used for burns wounds, when Jaun is not undergoing treatment with leading reconstructive surgeon Gavin De Aguiar in Johannesburg's Milpark Hospital, his mother said that she used see-through food wrap instead. She says that it works comparatively well. Children of Fire however gave Jaun some specialised dressings and also arranged a meeting with Smith and Nephew, a company that makes many burn-and skin graft-appropriate dressings, to ensure some pro bono out of hospital support as well. Children of Fire volunteers try to give support and the charity lent Hannelie, Jaun's mother, the book David (see Help Needed section of website) to help her through the emotional turmoil of nursing her son. We have also given Jaun small items like clothing, toys, clothing, games and sweets. At an event held in June 2002 to raise awareness of Children of Fire, Magdalena Wysoczanska (better known as Fire the SA television 'Gladiator') auctioned an airbrushed photo of herself with Jaun (bought by her then boyfriend) and pledged to give the family R4000 from the proceeds. While the cash was allegedly given to a Ms Potgieter, neither Children of Fire nor the Henning family have been able to recover the money. The assistance of a pro Deo lawyer would be very helpful. Jaun in the meantime, continues to be a cheerful boy who does quite well at school. His tracheo is still open, which makes speech difficult, but he is hopeful that it will be closed within 2003. He mixes well with other children and enjoys playing pool. 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