MP Molao comes to Lechani's rescue

PINI BOTHOKO
Correspondent | Tuesday November 13, 2012 00:00

 

The area Member of Parliament (MP) Fidelis Molao donated the wheelchair and a blanket last Wednesday to Edward who is epileptic. She is a mother of one son who has just finished his Form 3 at Tlhalogang Community Secondary School. When visiting the family four months ago in a home of three rickety mud huts she (Lechani) stays with her older sister Segametsi Edward 50 and their elder brother, the trio were in a completely hopeless state.

Segametsi said her sister has been sick for 10 years and she has to be on guard on a daily basis for when Lechani is attacked by fits. Segametsi said her sister is also deaf and she (Segametsi) has to shout at the top of her voice when communicating with her. Perhaps from the effects of sickness and hunger, Lechani is sometimes too weak to walk and has on many occasions stumbled and fallen.

She said she also helps support Lechani when she wants to go out to relieve herself or warm herself in the sun.Despite their daily struggles, Segametsi said the destitute ration they are given monthly by the government is not enough. 'They give us five kilogramme's of maize meal (phaletshe), sorghum meal (bopi jwa mabele), six packets of corned beef, cooking oil and milk. But there are no fruits and vegetables, which the doctor has recommended for Lechani, 'said Segametsi. She said her sister like to eat fruits and vegetables and she has to struggle ending up with debts at the village tuck shops to support her sister's diet.

'It could be better if they can start giving her fruits and vegetables, as her doctor has prescribed that she needs to eat well balanced meals. Segametsi feels strongly that the government must consider their situation and build a house for her sister because the one she is living in might collapse if a strong wind blows in the area.

'When it is rainy season like now I do not sleep well in my hut, worried if in the morning or after it has stopped raining we will find her safe. As you can see this rickety hut can fall while she is asleep, ' said Segametsi.After her sister was given a wheelchair, Lechani who according to her sickness could not recognize Molao, was so happy she called him Ntate (her father).

'I had to explain to her that it was the MP of the area, Molao and that's when she recognised him,' said Segametsi. 'Oh Modimo wame ke lesego jang batho, o pelo e ntle jang, ao ntate batho, ke a itumela thata, tanki le kamoso. Ke nale Maoto jaanong (Oh my God. How lucky I am. You are so good hearted. Thank you very much.I have legs now), ' said Lechani.

Lechani went on to tell Molao that she was struggling to go to the clinic for check-ups especially her sickness is worse. She said she appreciates his love for people like her and encouraged him to always offer help where it is needed.

When handing over the wheelchair to Lechani in the company of Borolong/Chadibe and Natale ward councillor, Jabulani Vuke, Molao said the article on the plight of the family that he read in The Monitor pricked his conscience and he decided to help make a change in her life.

'It is my responsibility to help people, I derive joy from putting a smile on other people's faces who may be less fortunate. This is not the first wheelchair I have donated in this village. This might be the fifth or six so far. The best is yet to come,' said Molao.