A second chance for Nicholus

After their fair share of sadness, Fernando Mbongo and his son, Nicholus (14), from Alberton North, could do with some good news in their lives.

Facing tough times is something the two of them know too well.

After Fernando’s 17-year-long marriage to Nicholus’ mother failed, Nicholus and his brother, Nhlanhla, grew up without seeing their father for about nine years.

Then on one fateful day in July 2019, Nicholus ended up in a critical condition in ICU for three months with severe burn wounds due to a gas stove exploding in their house while his mother was cooking.

This fire also claimed the life of his brother. Through all the uncertainty with Nicholus being in ICU, Fernado also had to bury his youngest son, Nhlanhla.

“The neighbours managed to help them escape from the fire and smoke but unfortunately, my nine-year-old son didn’t make it,” said Fernando.

He told the RECORD how he would go to the hospital every day to check up on Nicholus.

“The hospital would phone to tell me my son could not breath and I would rush to hospital. After the fire, they had to operate and a trachea was fitted since Nicholus’ injuries were so severe.”

Fernando said the operation was successful but his son was struggling to adapt to breathing through the trachea.

“Once back home, it was hurtful to see my son in that state because he was not used to it. I needed him to be stable and the only time I could help was by taking him to the hospital.”

He would go to Baragwanath and Charlotte Maxeke Hospital to seek help for his son.

“I was now taking care of Nicholus. I had to look out for my son.”

And then the pandemic and lockdown hit the country.

As a self-employed man, Fernando found it difficult to make ends meet and he was also forced to isolate Nicholus.
They could not take the risk of sending Nicholus back to school because of his condition and the fact that he was more exposed and vulnerable.

“Once the schools re-opened I had to make a plan for Nicholus to be able to carry on with his schoolwork from home. “Even the school proposed for Nicholus to study from home because of his situation amid the Covid-19 pandemic.”

However, tools for homeschooling were a problem and that’s where the latest good news brought huge smiles and relief to the two of them.

“The school put us in contact with an organisation that could provide what Nicholus needed for him to study,” he said.

And more so, they contacted him to assist with study material, a laptop and a bedroom suite for Nicholus.
Russells Alberton branch made the donation to Nicholus and his father.

“May God bless every single person who contributed towards this for Nicholus to do well at school. “We are very thankful and I urge them to also do this for others who also are in need to help their children,” said a tearful Fernando.