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Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
IN a heart warming display of community support, barely two weeks after his plea for financial help was published in The Manica Post, veteran teacher, Mr Givas Karume (57) received a successful thoracic spine surgery that he urgently needed.
Due to the collective generosity of Zimbabweans that saw them responding swiftly to raise US$8 600 in a matter of two weeks, the Karume family is grateful.
Mr Karume received the surgery of November 27 at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare.
However, his story is not over yet, as during Mr Karume’s healing process, he needs to be rehabilitated at Ruwa Rehabilitation Centre where financial assistance is also needed according to his wife, Mrs Lizzy Karume.
In a recent interview, Mrs Karume said a total of US$2 500 is needed for her husband’s rehabilitation and other expenses that will be incurred during the course of the healing process.
She said, the rehabilitation centre’s fees are US$450 a month and other expenses include travel, reviews and food.
“The procedure, which involved decompression and stabilisation with rods and screws, was carried out promptly, showcasing the swift and compassionate response of the nation and we are very grateful for that. We had our hopes, but you managed to show us that good people are still out there.
“We would like to thank The Manica Post family, and the nation at large for opening up your hearts and contributing towards the hospital fees for our father and husband. As we speak, he is at Ruwa Rehabilitation Centre where he is being rehabilitated.
“Currently, they are waiting for the wounds to heal. After that, they will start teaching him to walk, and we are appealing to well-wishers to lend a helping hand as they did before.
“There is need for at least US$450 every month for the rehab facility.
“We do not know how many months he will stay there, but we are praying for the best.
“He will also incur travel expenses from Ruwa to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals for reviews, sanitary expenses, food expenses, as well as travel expenses for myself as I have to visit him daily,” she said.
Mrs Karume further stated that there is also need for an adult walker to be used during her husband’s physiotherapy.
It remains a double tragedy for the Karume family, as Mrs Karume, a lecturer at Mutare Polytechnic also broke her left leg in two different positions when she was coming back from prayers recently.
She also needs to undergo a corrective surgery.
She needs US$1 700 for the surgery.
“I believe that if my husband gets the help that he wants and he regains his mobility, we will eventually raise the money for my corrective surgery. Yes, I am in pain, but my husband’s health is a top priority,” she said.
A renowned languages teacher at Dope High School in Makoni District, Mr Karume said his illness started with deep chest pains that spread to his shoulders.
“The pain persisted for a while and I consulted different doctors in Mutare and Rusape, but they could not help me. One day, when I was coaching women soccer and tried to kick a penalty kick, I lost my balance and fell on my back. The same thing happened again in another training session and I realised that something was wrong. My legs began to feel numb and I struggled to walk,” he said.
He has not been at work since then. He was later diagnosed with a thoracic spine condition, and has been unable to get out of bed for the last four months.
Those willing to assist the Karume family can contact them at +263773770124.
Subsequently, well-wishers can also donate to them through their CBZ accounts and Ecocash USD accounts.
Ecocash USD +263 773 770 124, Ecocash name — Givas Karume. Bank details – Account Name: Givas Karume; Bank: CBZ
Branch: Mutare Branch; CBZ Nostro Bank Account Number: 63260151450025;
CBZ ZWL Bank Account Number: 63260151450015.
Well-wishers can also drop monetary or grocery donations at The Manica Post Building or access the Go-Fund me page created on behalf of Mr Karume and donate at https://gofund.me/d6d58422.
Online Reporter