Jeffers (estimated age 10) was burned in a paraffin stove explosion in the Vlakfontein squattter camp, not far from Leratong hospital. His mother died in the explosion. He now lives in an "RDP" house with his aunt and his invalid uncle. The charity helped him to return to school and liased with social workers, police officers and education officials to help create a support network for him. When Jeffers himself wanted a foster family, we investigated that option but for now he seems to have accepted the idea of remaining with his aunt. She nonetheless frequently seems to return to visit relatives in Swaziland and less frequently visits him when in hospital.
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Jeffers has spent a considerable time in Baragwanath Hospital in 2002 in the plastic surgery ward, particularly for work on his hands. The charity has bought him a bed after his cousin who has also been fostered as a "sister" to him, explained that both the children had to sleep on the cold concrete floor.
This was clearly not good for a boy going through complicated and painful surgery but it seemed that a bed would have to be provided for both children to ensure that there was no jealousy between the "siblings" and to ensure that Jeffers received the comfort that he needed. The other problem was that the three-roomed Reconstruction and Development Programme house is very small. There is a bedroom, a dining-sitting room-kitchen that is also used as a small spaza shop, and a very small bathroom.
To fit the bed in, we had to select one bed that tucks under another. The furniture store Hirsch was very helpful in determining the appropriate bed for Jeffers.
Jeffers remains young for his age and is behind educationally. We have given him books and toys and even bedding for his new bed, but most of all he wants to be accepted by society and to be loved.
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| ^ Jeffers home | ^ Jeffers 'sister' |
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| ^ Jeffers' drawings show he is young for his age and that he has missed out a great deal of his schooling. | ^ Every little boy likes trucks and cars. Jeffers can draw despite his damaged hands. |
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| ^ South African children seem to draw houses from story books rather than houses that look like their own. | Jeffers with aunt Olga, uncle Simon and neighbour. Olga makes flowers out of old plastic bottles. Simon is a paraplegic and we would like to help him to obtain a new wheelchair. We would like to get Jeffers treatment for his face in the UK. |
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| Jeffers aged 12 | Jeffers aged 12 |
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| Jeffers aged 12 | Jeffers aged 12 |
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| Jeffers 2003 | Jeffers 2003 |
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| Jeffers 2003 |