Lida Basson was burned when she was three years old. Her father was allegedly working on the car and he showed his wife petrol from the carburettor. The candle on the kitchen table set the petrol fumes alight and when Lida's father threw the bowl out the door, Lida was walking into the kitchen and the flaming bowl with petrol was thrown over her. Her dad had minor injuries, but Lida was left with serious injuries on her face, body, hands and legs.
Lida's father was a builder and the family moved around a lot. Her father died three years ago, and Lida, her mother and brother were left without any support. They live in Kriel, Mpumalanga province, where the local Lions Club arranged with Dr. Rassie Laubscher to carry out reconstructive surgery on her and they met theatre fees and other hospital costs.
Lida dropped out of school, complaining at the lack of support from the principal and teachers, as well as the teasing from the children. She however wanted to finish school and Janet Potgieter, a volunteer with Children of Fire, went and spoke to staff and pupils.
Lida returned to school and seemed happy, but sadly dropped out again in the third term of 2002.
Lida turned 18 on June 20th, 2002. She started working in the local Spar after school and on week-ends to help support the family, but Children of Fire will try to ensure that she returns to school because there is little future for young people in South Africa if they do not matriculate.
September 2002