Zimbabwean student undergoes successful kidney transplant in India

A GREAT Zimbabwe University student, Mollen Ndinatsei Makoni, who was two years ago diagnosed with a life-threatening kidney disorder, returned home on Sunday after undergoing a successful kidney transplant in India.

Makoni was diagnosed with chronic glomerulonephritis in July 2013 and was struggling to keep up with the medical costs and related expenses before Chivi Rural District Council chairperson Killer Zivhu chipped in and donated three air tickets worth over $4 500 under his Wezhira Ndionewo project to enable her to fly to India.

Her younger sister, Tendai, donated the kidney.

Addressing journalists in Harare yesterday, Makoni said: "I was left with no hope to life. I thank Zimbabwean citizens for showing unity and love as they spared no efforts to fundraise for me to undergo the operation."

She also applauded Zivhu and several musicians, among them Mathias Mhere, Suluman Chimbetu and Sabastian Magacha, who volunteered to perform at a fundraising music concert held under the theme A Dollar Can Save Life last October in Masvingo.

Makoni becomes the second beneficiary of the Wezhira Ndionewo project that also saw the late Charles Munodzana being flown to India to undergo an urgent heart valve replacement operation in India.

Sadly, the 49-year-old Munodzana later died in India.