Hope for Jeremiah

Jeremiah Padayachy was recently accepted into a school for the first time, and now he might finally be operated on to repair his speech problem.

What started off as an article highlighting Jeremiah’s situation of never having attended school, has blossomed into a story of him not only attending school, but possibly gaining his speech.

The City Times published an article about Jeremiah in the issue dated July 29, which caught the attention of Operation Smile volunteer Sally Matthee, who contacted Operation Smile about the youngster’s situation.

Operation Smile is an international children’s medical charity that performs cleft lip and cleft palate surgeries.

After looking at a few photos of Jeremiah’s palate, which the City Times took, the charity’s medical board suspects that he has a condition known as an alveolar palate.

They have now decided to conduct a further assessment, with the hope of operating.

As a result, Jeremiah was invited to attend their forthcoming mission, in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, from September 27 to October 6.

“Several volunteers who are highly qualified in their fields will assess Jeremiah and, if they can help him, he will undergo surgery during the mission,” said Matthee, who agreed to also transport him to the mission.

These volunteers include a child psychologist, dietitian, speech therapist and a plastic surgeon.

All transport, accommodation, food and surgery (should he receive it) will be covered by Operation Smile.

Matthee, a Lakefield resident, also met Jeremiah and his mother, Rishika Singh, at their home in Actonville, on September 2, to introduce herself to them.

“I am excited,” said Singh.

“Jeremiah struggles to speak properly and might finally be understood by all.”

The 11-year-old started school on August 4 and is currently completing his Grade Four year at the Actonville Training Centre, in Rynsoord.

“School is still fun, my teacher is nice to me and I enjoy being able to do homework,” Jeremiah said.

Matthee raises funds to donate to Operation Smile.

She said Jeremiah’s story is what helping people is all about.

“I am hosting a high tea on October 29, in conjunction with the Rotary Anns of Benoni Van Ryn, for which tickets will be sold,” she added.

“The high tea will be a day to socialise, several items will be auctioned and guests will be entertained by the Johannesburg Symphony Orchestra.

“Every cent of this money will be donated to Operation Smile, to help children like Jeremiah.”

Also read: Jeremiah finally attends school