Locals help brighten disabled girl’s day
One random act of kindness has brought unmeasurable joy to a young girl and her mother.
Even the smallest act of kindness can mean the world to the person receiving it.
Jennifer and her daughter, Thando, have survived life’s difficulties by asking for money at the intersection of Hendrik Potgieter and Fredenharry Road for the past eight years. Drivers may recall Jennifer wheeling her 12-year-old impaired child about in a battered, too-small pram, wrapped in warm blankets around her waist.
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Jennifer grins and greets motorists without discrimination, despite their tragic situations. All she wants is the best for her child and to provide her with the care she deserves.
Sarie Malherbe, a community member, seeing Thando growing out of the pram and, knowing she could make things a little easier for the duo, decided to ask the community to contribute a wheelchair on the BCI Community WhatsApp group.
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“I immediately offered to help when I saw the post and learned about the little girl’s situation. I had a wheelchair in storage at my house and thought that rather than collecting dust, it would serve a much greater purpose in helping this girl,” Dawid Britz, a caring father and operations manager at BCI Security, remarked.
Sarie and Dawid began arranging when to present Jennifer and Thando with the wheelchair, as well as some food and a teddy bear, and agreed on April 19 at 10:00. When Thando noticed Dawid pulling the wheelchair over to where she was, she started vocalising in glee! It was as if she knew the wheelchair was there for her and couldn’t wait to be lifted into it. Needless to say, everyone who observed this scene was overcome with emotion.
Dawid and Jennifer moved some of the blankets and belts to Thando’s wheelchair to help secure her. Jennifer was overtaken with emotion as she saw her child finally seated in a comfy chair with enough room for her to develop. She conveyed her heartfelt appreciation to Sarie and Dawid, as Thando smiled up at her mother.
Jennifer merely requested nappies for her child when asked if there is anything else they need.
