Little Phenyo (4) dies before she can receive a new liver

BEFORE little Phenyo Chokwe could receive the liver transplant she so desperately needed, she died at the WF Knobel Hospital in Lonsdale.

Phenyo died on Friday August 15 and she was buried at the Ga-Phaudi cemetery in Moletjie on Sunday.

Two weeks ago CV reported on the brave little girl who battled a liver disease and its effects.

Phenyo’s mother, Jennifer Chokoe (22) said her daughter had suffered from hepatitis (an inflammation of the liver) since 2011, and now needed a liver transplant if she was to survive.

“The doctor said they would look out for a donor. He later referred me to Dr George Mukhari Hospital. I have had to put my schoolwork on hold and I don’t sleep much. There is no one else to look after Phenyo. Anyone willing to be a liver donor should contact me please,” Chokoe pleaded at the time.

A large group of family members, friends, villagers and Phenyo’s friends from Happiness Day Centre filled the funeral tent on Sunday.

Rebecca Mailula, principal of Happiness Day Centre, paid for the funeral and said she wanted to do something to ease the family’s pain.

“When death takes from us that which we love most, it affects us negatively. I knew of Phenyo’s illness and after her death I decided to help Jennifer, because she is an orphan who now lost her little girl.

“I decided to arrange and pay for the funeral to show the family that people still cared. I believe it is important to give as much as we can.

“Phenyo was one of my favourite learners at the centre and I will always miss her. May her soul rest in peace.”

Jennifer said her little girl’s death was a terrible blow for the whole family.

“We did not expect her to die so soon. We really thought she would get the help she needed. I don’t know what I will do without my baby girl,” she said.

She thanked Mailula and said she appreciated all her efforts to help the family.

“Rebecca really came to our rescue. Without her help we would not have been able to lay Phenyo to rest in such a dignified manner.”