Greenock Westburn

In the Spring 2010 edition of the Church Magazine,  Sue-Anne Cook  gave us the news that her little girl Wavho, who many of you will remember from her inspiring talk in the church last June, will shortly be going into hospital.

Although Sue-Anne realised that Wavho’s hearing was not great, She was shocked to discover after a recent hospital visit, just how poor it was (only 22% in one ear and 38 % in the other). The result of this is that she has to have a major operation to create and attach a new eardrum.

As there is no National Health Service in Venda, the cost of this operation is to be R23,000 (almost £2,000). it was  hoped that in some way we could help defray the cost of this operation.  We are aware that the funds of  Sue-Anne are very limited. With this in mind, we organised an after church lunch as a fundraiser on 28th March 2010.

On the day of the lunch and supported by numerous generous donations, an incredible total of £2,640 has been raised. It is amazing what some hard work by the organisers and their friends can achieve. The provision of an enjoyable lunch taken in friendship and fellowship resulted in raising a sum of money beyond the wildest dreams of Sue-Anne and Wavho.

In addition, Ian McCrorie organiseda retiring collection at St. John’s Church Gourock and Greenock Wellpark Mid Kirk. a total of £950 was raised between the two churches.

This means that a grand total of £3,590 has been raised to support Suzie and Wavho

The impact of this generousity is best said in the two messages below:-

From Sue Anne

Dear Rev Bill and members of the congregation.

I am at a loss for the approprite words to thank you all for the amazing amount of money that you donated for Wavho’s ear operations. When she adopted me at the tender age of two and a half years, I made a pact to give her all the love, the best education and the best medical care I could possibly afford. Thank you for helping me to fulfil the most difficult part of this promise.

My daughter sailed through the first operation, which was made possible by donations from friends, both local and abroad. She astounded the hospital staff and the surgeon with her bravery, bright smile and concern about the other children in her ward. They were also all amazed at her openness regarding her HIV status, and her ward became quite busy as staff and patients came to see and talk to her. Although tired and in some pain, my child smiled and answered questions, and I wanted to burst with pride for this child that I have been blessed with.

The good news is that the 3 small bones in the inner ear had not been affected, which had been our major worry. Last week we went back to the doctor so he could drain the ear, and on a T.V. screen we could see the new eardrum instead of the big gaping hole that he had shown us previously. In 6 weeks time we have to go back to the audiologist to check her hearing levels. He is hopeful we will achieve at least 85% hearing in this ear…

I was hoping to have the first operation on the other ear done in the June/July school holidays but the doctor says this can only be done nearer the end of the year. As this is the worse ear (she only has 22% hearing) it will require 2 operations to replace the eardrum. The money you have all donated will be put into an investment account so we can benefit from the better interest rate.

As none of you have probably experienced the services (or lack thereof !!) offered by our local government hospitals, you have no idea what it means for me to be able to admit my child to this great private hospital where she is treated in a clean and sterile enviroment, and with staff that are compassionate, competent and efficient.

From the bottom of my heart I thank you all.

Suzi

From Wavho

Dear people from the chirch

I am thanking you for givin my mother Suzie money for my next operation. I was very nervouse because I though that the opration would be saw, but I dint feel anything, Wen the operation was

over I always sleaped because of the medicen they put on me to make me go to sleep. Suzi wa very nervouse and had to sleapt on a chair by my bed. The nurse laufed becos i had to hold her hand . she worris if they maybe hurt me. I didint cry like the uther children in my room. I think they had bigger oprations I was very glad getting home to my fish,dogs and my mad cat. Suzi slept a lot and then gardend a lot.I had to take medacin and rest so we did a jigsawa dn watched movies.And on thursday they pulled out my stichis. And almost every day my cut healed.I am going to get my ear draind. And after draining it I will be very happy because I will be able to swimm and I will be doing better at school. I will not worri about the other operations becos i now it does not hurt to much.

And I am very happy that I am going back to school on monday.

Please tell everyone ndo livhuwa (thank you)

Love vhuhwavho(wavho).

A  selection of photographs taken on the day of the lunch can be viewed below.