New kidney will change the life of 8-year-old from Bronkhorstspruit

Alwande Mjali’s life changed when she received a kidney transplant on February 2.

“We received a call from Jacaranda Hospital and the transplant was done that very same day at 15:00,” said her mother, Kholekile Mjali.

Thereafter this little brave girl was transferred to Unitas Hospital in Centurion where she stayed for three weeks.

Mom Kholekile was five months pregnant with Alwande when the pregnancy scan showed her daughter had a problem with her kidneys.

Alwande, who is now eight years old, was delivered in the seventh month of pregnancy and was rushed straight into the neo-natal ICU.

“She was so swollen, but after nine days she opened her eyes.

“When she was three months old, they operated for the first time in November 2013.

“The doctors began to open the blockage that made it nearly impossible for the kidneys to filter waste products from the blood and convert them into urine,” said Mjali.

Alwande’s right kidney was taken out and she was diagnosed with kidney failure.

“We were in and out of hospital for four years,” said Mjali.

When Alwande was only four years old, her left kidney also gave in.

She then had to receive dialysis every 12 hours. This was usually done from 18:00 until 06:00.

“This continued until God send us a kidney from a stranger this year,” Mjali said.

This experience positively impacted Alwande, a Grade 2 learner at Du Preez van Wyk Primary School, in so many ways.

She used to be overly tired and unable to concentrate for long periods.

She was in and out of the hospital and had to repeat Grade 1 due to her medical condition.

The transplant is considered as being successful and this young warrior is now at home recovering.

“Mostly I would like to thank God, because I know He is the one who made it possible. I thank Him, especially for the family of the donor. I am so grateful.

“The support from my family kept me standing throughout this,” Mjali concluded.