The Sunday News
Sukoluhle Ndlovu Sunday News Reporter
While his peers and age mates are going to school to build their dreams, Takudwa Chivombo has had his dreams shattered.
The 22-year-old was diagnosed with a heart failure at the age of eight. At the age of nine he underwent a Mitrial Valve Replacement (MVR) operation in Johannesburg, South Africa. Since then his life has been heading to a normal direction until recently when his condition resurfaced.
The resurfacing of the condition has completely shattered Takudwa’s dreams of one day becoming an engineer.
Takudwa’s mother Mercy Chivombo said she was devastated by her son’s condition which has since gotten worse when everyone else was thinking that it was getting better.
“After my son was operated at the age of nine, his condition got better and ever since he hasn’t experienced any difficulties health wise for the past 13 years until recently. He collapsed on September 16 after having difficulties in breathing” she said.
After he collapsed Takudwa was rushed to hospital where he was airlifted to Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare due to his bad condition.
After the diagnosis the doctors found out that his heart has developed another valve problem which was causing him to have difficulties in breathing.
“We were told that his heart had developed another damaged valve and the damaged valve was resulting in breathing difficulties. They then referred us to Narayana Health Centre in India. We contacted the health centre and we were told that for all the expenses we will have to part with US$14 550”, said Chivombo.
“So far we have managed to raise $$4 500 and we are appealing to Zimbabweans to help us raise the remaining $10 000. My husband has since retired and I am teacher, so our monthly finances are not enough to raise the needed money”, she said.
Of the $14 500 needed, $10 350 is for the medical expenses, $2 700 for air tickets and $1 500 will go towards accommodation and food.
