Even's Follow-Up

Our April 15^th blog spoke about the unfortunate and rare disease, lamellar ichthyosis, afflicting 7 year old Evens. His mother’s frantic plea for assistance in relieving her son’s pain and suffering was heard by TVEP who then sought help from HFL followers…and they responded! We wish to thank everyone who answered with words of encouragement, prayers, suggestions, financial support and those who made important connections.

Thank you Maureen for contacting your physician friend, head of the UTMB dermatology department who has had experience working in underserved countries. Your suggestions for preventing infection and alleviating the odor problem were invaluable. Shoba, Betty, Karen, Evelyn and so many other followers helped out, urging us to continue to seek answers.

Stacey from Hong Kong reached out to a contact connected to the Netcare Group that operates the largest private hospital network in South Africa.  Because of Stacey’s diligence, we now have a Netcare representative who is overseeing Evens’ care.  They will provide all of the required skin applications and consultations.  Medications will be a last resort due to unwanted side affects but daily salt baths are recommended.  Thankfully Evens’ current medical needs are now being taken care of.

HFL will continue to address Evens’ other numerous challenges and we will keep you posted as to the outcome. He needs a large outdoor tub in which to bathe since his family has no indoor plumbing. Discrimination and teasing remains troublesome so we will look for funds to buy a laptop, tablet or ipad to assist in his schooling. These are hopefully all things to come.

Today we thank you for your support and continued awareness that YOU can make an important difference in someone’s life without spending a dime.  ‘Like’ us on facebook and help us spread the word.

Evens

Wishing all Mothers Peace and Contentment

 We take this opportunity to offer all Mothers our respect and heartfelt wishes for a “Happy Mother’s Day!”

We also recognize that the mothers of the 276 recently kidnapped Nigerian schoolgirls will not have a day of joy nor peace until their girls are returned to them unharmed.

Hope for Limpopo battles to recognize the vital importance of human rights including the rights of all women and children. The kidnapping of these innocent girls is an intolerable travesty. HFL strives to emphasize the importance of educating all youngsters as the key to eradicating poverty. As NBC news reported, “These girls were the greatest hopes of their families, striving for an education in a place where only 25 percent of girls are literate, aspiring to be teachers and doctors. “ Boko Haram, the extremists carrying on this reign of terror have caused most schools to be closed in this region.

Rather than enjoying a “Happy Mother’s Day”, these tormented mothers are forced to wait for the unlikely return of their young daughters.

As Mothers, celebrate your own families but remember and stand in solidarity with these other heartbroken Mothers.

WSU Student Ambassadors Fundraise for HFL with 'TOM’s Shoes’

Westfield State University Student Ambassadors are not only mentoring Littleville Elementary school children as part of the COMPASS Mentor Program, they have included a service learning project to benefit Hope for Limpopo.

The WSU Student Ambassadors came up with the idea to buy 19 pairs of TOM’s shoes.  Embellished by the Littleville Elementary School children, they are auctioning the new decorated shoes to raise money for the Vhutshilo Mountain School children.

If you would like to bid on a pair of ‘one of a kind’ shoes and support VMS children at the same time, contact us with your offer or call Kim Morgan at 413-572-5400.  The minimum bid is $30.00. Or consider a donation of $50.00 now to purchase a pair without waiting for the bidding process!

Shoe sizes and quantities available:

Youth

3 pairs of size 12

3 pairs of size 2

3 pairs of size 3

3 pairs of size 5

3 pairs of size 6

Adults

1 pair of size 6.5

1 pair of size 7

1 pair of size 8

1 pair of size 9

Thanks for your support!

Meet Evens

Konanani Evens Mutwanamba, 7 years old, was born with a rare skin disease called lamellar ichthyosis. Soon after birth “the skin began cracking all over his body”.  His Mom says that he struggles to cope during hot days, “When it is hot, his skin oozes blood. Most of the time he cries from unbearable pain. During summer, I sleep with a bucket full of water so I can put him in, to cool his body whenever he starts crying. I normally do not enjoy summer because of this torture my son goes through….”  

Evens is a second grader who, while the other children initially shunned him, now enjoys the company of classmates. He is a brave young man.

TVEP and HFL supporters are working to make Evens life a bit easier.

We’ll continue to keep you updated.  Thank you!

Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HopeforLimpopo.

Visit our website at www.hopeforlimpopo.org.