But while the other children run and chatter and play, Thokozani sits quietly in the corner, hands in his mouth. He doesn’t speak. He doesn’t engage much. He watches the world around him—especially the cows that wander past the school fence, which seem to bring him a rare sense of calm.
He’s still in nappies, doesn’t move around like other children, and needs support with almost every part of his day. But with gentle help from Gogo, the school’s beloved cook, Thokozani recently learnt to eat with a spoon. A quiet victory, and one we hold close.
His teacher reached out to us, concerned that something more may be going on. “He tries,” she told us. “But we can see he’s struggling. We just want to help him.”
What Thokozani needs now are proper medical assessments—screenings that can help us understand what kind of support he needs to thrive. After that, we need to make sure he can actually access this care by helping with transport to the hospital. But living in such a rural community, his family has no way of getting him there each month, despite the referral made by the local clinic.
For just R350 a month, we can make sure Thokozani gets to these appointments and starts receiving the help he truly deserves.
It’s a small cost, but it could make a world of difference for this quiet little boy with so much still locked inside.
If his story speaks to your heart, please consider sponsoring him. Your kindness could help open a new chapter in his life—one filled with hope, support, and possibility.