Public, churches and businesses open their hearts to disabled child
ALEXANDRA - Disabled and bedridden, 18-year-old Ephinia had a rare moment when she was able to leave the confinement of her Extension 7 home to enjoy a birthday celebration in the company of well wishers at Phuthaditjaba Community Centre.
Disabled and bedridden, 18-year-old Ephinia Rabekani enjoyed a rare birthday celebration on 18 March in the company of well-wishers at Phuthaditjaba Community Centre.
The youngster left the confinement of her Alex Ext 7 home as per her mother Peggy Rabekani’s wishes for her daughter to experience the memorable event which the public, businesses and churches supported.
Rabekani’s plight was reported in, Alex mother asks for help, Week ending 18 March, and is a story of a strong bond between a disabled child and her mother who believes that her child’s condition was God’s gift to be nurtured. Rabekani abandoned her dream of being a social worker to care for her daughter and attended care work training to gain skills for the purpose.
The celebration, she said, affirmed the public’s love of her child, and it was an occasion to enjoy the rare niceties of life that most poor and vulnerable children and families never get. “It confirms uBuntu’s tenet that it takes a village to raise a child,” she said.
Rabekani hoped that her commitment to Ephinia would be a lesson, especially to young and teenage mothers in similar situations, that life was not about them but about caring for others and dealing with any challenge God gave them.
Party host, philanthropist and winner of many accolades Linda Twala said life was meaningless when those with resources, ability and influence failed to help others burdened with life’s basic challenges.
“The event is to raise support to improve Ephinia’s family home, her access and movement in and out of the building which also leaks, and provide for their basic daily needs as the mother can’t work in order to be with her child every minute,” he said. Twala added that government would be approached to provide support for the family.
Another attendee, Pastor Mthunzi Tshabalala of God Never Fails Revival Church committed to providing appropriate accommodation for the family. “It’s a duty and the right thing to do to ease the family’s suffering which is God’s making and not witchcraft,” he said.
Bishop Eric Mkhize of the African Humanitarian Institute implored single mothers with similar challenges to emulate Rabekani. “Some would abandon or kill the children in order to remain single to enjoy the trappings of life and to be on the streets,” he said.
“[Rabekani’s] commitment to the child epitomises goodness despite rejection, scorn and [being shamed because of] her child’s condition. They deserve the best.”
Musician, Nkiyase Mondlana sang at the event and committed to helping raise funds to support the Rabekani family.
Details: Linda Twala 011 887 5695.
