AIR Zimbabwe last night offered two return tickets from Zimbabwe to London for an 18-year-old girl who needs emergency surgery on a tumor which is disfiguring her facial bones.
The Girl Child Network has made a worldwide appeal for £10,000 to meet the costs of the operation for Taremeredzwa Nomatter Mapungwana at London’s Bartholomeuw’s Hospital.
Zimbabweans around the world have been making their donations through the charity, and Air Zimbabwe will fly Nomatter together with her mother at no cost, the airline’s general manager for Europe David Mwenga said.
Betty Makoni of Girl Child Network said: “Today, we are very positive about how a few determined people who are thoughtful can bring change. Money raised so far is adequate to pay the initial deposit for the operation to go ahead while we look for more funds.”
The hospital has confirmed October 10 as the date for the operation, Makoni said, and they were now seeking visas for Nomatter and her mum, Thandiwe.
But the charity remains concerned about Nomatter’s deteriorating condition.
“She’s now complaining of pain and bleeding has increased,” said a spokesman, adding that talks were ongoing with South African hospitals to temporarily admit her while she waits for the London operation.
Nomatter -- a physics, chemistry and biology A' Level student -- was due to sit her exams starting in October before she was forced to drop out of school. Teachers say she was top of her class and she has dreams of becomign a doctor.
Nomatter’s condition is known as cemento-ossifying fibroma -- a hard fibrous growth most frequently seen in the jaw or mouth that continues to enlarge, sometimes to very significant size, unless treated. Treatment is by surgery.
Experts say after excision of the primary tumor, recurrence develops in 25% to 44% of patients, and is often associated with “inadequate surgical margins”.
How to Donate:
A Paypal account has been set up to receive donations for the operation: CLICK HERE. You can also send cheques to two addresses provided in the UK and the United States. For more information call Betty Makoni on 01375679039 or Priscilla Nyathi on 07956024117.