Young Plaxcedes gets a feel of her new wheelchair
Tatenda Shunyai
06 March 2017, MASVINGO – The German city of Kernen, through its twin City of Masvingo, last week donated a wheelchair, foodstuffs and money to a seven-year-old girl from Mashava who suffers from hydrocephalus.
The act of charity, took place at council offices at the civic centre with the visually impaired and paraplegic Plaxcedes Muzeve, who lives at King Mine with her grandmother, Siphelile Mutale, receiving the assistance.
City of Masvingo Deputy Mayor, James Chiwara handed over the donations to the family and commended strides being made to alleviate extreme suffering of the needy.
“It gives me great joy to witness such a wonderful gesture to help the needy. We plead with others to also help the less fortunate in their communities,” said Chiwara.
Mutale thanked council for the act of goodwill saying her granddaughter will find some comfort in the wheelchair.
“I feel relieved because I was facing difficulties taking care of my granddaughter and helping her to move around,” she said.
Plaxcedes’ mother is in South Africa where she is trying to look for work to support the child but her father disappeared in 2012 after learning of her condition.
City of Masvingo’s Chief Health Officer, Zvapano Munganasa, first saw the grandmother appealing for help on TV and made proposals for council to see how it could help.
The handover ceremony was attended by Masvingo Kernen Association representative; Pascal Mudzikisi, Henry Chivhanga of the Disability Amalgamation Community Trust (DACT), councillors and council workers.
Masvingo has benefitted immensely from its twinning with the city of Kernen, and the partnership has transformed the lives of many residents in the city.
Hydrocephalus is a condition in which there is an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the brain and this typically causes increased pressure inside the skull.
Plaxcedes needs in excess of US$7000 to undergo operation to restore some of her physical abilities.
Those who wish to help can contact Mutale on 0779 021 648 or 0776 101 482.local,topnews
