9th Sep 2010 12:37:15 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 Tavonga Tavonga Chikwenya, in Cape Town’s Red Cross Hospital with his friend Sunday Mukazi and Carer Tracey Burns in April 2009. They enjoyed the attention and the laughter and were kept pretty active. Tavonga got quite tearful at first, asking after his mum, and saying he wanted to go home. He started to learn the art of letter writing and looked forward to it. Both boys enjoyed taking photos a lot. Tavonga writing home to Bronwen (Mama) and to his Mum as well Tavonga follows Children of Fire's 'clean plate' policy. Tavonga Chikwenya (6) was burned with hot rice as a toddler in Zimbabwe. He now lives in South Africa with his family (mother, father and sister), legally. He had attempted keloid removal in Zimbabwe but the raised scars reoccurred in a worse form. He also had a blood transfusion in Zimbabwe. Tavonga saw children 'just like me' when the South African Sunday Times carried an article about Children of Fire in November 2008 and so he came to see us. In Johannesburg the plastic surgeons would not assist to alleviate his sadness at terribly-raised scars. Sometimes the most important procedure for these children is to give them hope. Professor Heinz Rode at the Red Cross Children's War Memorial Hospital in Cape Town took on his care. From April 2009 til late 2009, Tavonga underwent a series of operations at that hospital. He has keloids removed, bleumycin injections, pressure garments for face and chest. He also has a squint surgically realigned. All this was possible not just with the kindness of the hospital; the very loving staff in ward C2, but also the stunning help of Cape Town volunteer Ms Tracey Burns. It is not guaranteed that the keloids will not reoccur, but with careful use of massage, pressure garments, topical antibiotics, Bio-Oil and every medical and social endeavour, we hope that Tavonga will keep his current handsome and only mildly-scarred face. He matured enormously during his time in Cape Town and became a firm 'brother' to DRC war-burns-survivor Sunday Mukhazi aged 5, who also remained for some six or more months in the 'mother city' of South Africa. On return to Johannesburg, Tavonga had a disturbing raised gland problem in his neck which with one of our other children had indicated the onset of HIV-Aids. While both his parents knew that they were HIV negative, there was concern because of the blood transfusion in the past. Dr Peter Cole of Lancet Laboratories authorised an HIV test and we took an extra tube of blood in case the news was bad (so that we could then test for the CD4 count without more painful needles). A good Christmas present for Tavonga's family was to learn that he is HIV negative and that the neck glands issue is something separate and less hazardous to health. Sunday and Tavonga in Stellenbosch, and in aeroplane, with volunteer Vicky 19/20 April 2009 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