The story of two teen brothers who survived a fatal accident which claimed their dad's life, leaving them both crippled

As we enter the one bedroom flat in Berea Johannesburg, we are cheerfully greeted by two teen boys who are lying down on the couch watching wrestling on TV. The tiny living room is crowded with furniture including a bunk bed where the boys sleep. This is a home for them, their aunt and widowed mother.

Lindani Sibanda born on 14/11/99 and Ronald Sibanda born on 11/04/96 were normal children until 2009 when a fatal accident that claimed the life of their father and aunt and left the boys crippled, occurred. We are deeply touched as the elder brother narrates the whole incident and their condition.

Ronald was left crippled on the legs and has a broken spinal cord, hence on a wheelchair. Lindani on the other hand was in a deep coma for five months and the doctors had given up on him. On the day that the plugs were to be pulled off to end his life, by the grace of God, their aunt Thandi, noticed some heartbeat on the machine and asked the doctors to give him a chance. Thus, Lindani's life was spared. When he woke up from the coma he was completely brain damaged and had lost all memory and speech.

Since after the accident Lindani has not attended school as all schools reject him because of his condition. He has just started learning how to talk, which is a great miracle. He sits on the couch all the time as he cannot move on his own. This has made him gain a lot of weight and is becoming a challenge for Gloria, their cousin who has been taking care of the boys ever since they were in hospital. He has to be bathed and he uses adult diapers because his right side is paralyzed, only the left side is functional, thus he is immobile.

Their uncle Ndaba and his wife Thandi have been helping the family, but because of the needs of these boys, they cannot cater for everything. Ronald attends boarding school at Hope School in Westcliff in Johannesburg and his fees is 1,800 rands per month which the uncles and aunts and other extended family members alternate to pay.

Their 36 years old mother, Caroline Sibanyoni works as a cashier at a bakery 6 days a week. Her salary is insufficient to meet the needs of her family. We find her with the boys, but she confides in us that she still cannot come to terms with the fact that her children who were born normal are now in this state. She says, "sometimes I just cannot face them and I just prepare food for them and go straight to bed and stay awake the whole night because of the pain I see in my boys." She has teary eyes as she narrates her ordeal and the fact that she wishes her children to be normal again. We comfort her, encourage her and ask her to remain strong for her miracle boys. In the end when we leave, she accompanies us and assures us that from that day she will try to look at her children and believe that one day another miracle will happen. We leave her with a smile unlike when we first met.

What was heartwarming is the love that we saw between the two brothers. They spend all the weekends together watching their favourite programmes on TV and they call each other teasingly, "inja yami." (My dog). During the week, Lindani, we were told often asks his mother and Gloria when his brother will be coming. He (Lindani) loves imitating the things his brother says and does and that was very comforting to see in the boys, who against all odds still behave like any other siblings.

Both boys need special medical attention like physiotherapy which Lindani has not had for a long time. Fortunately, for Ronald, the school that he attends offers some of the medical attention that he needs. Lindani also needs a special school that will accept him in his condition because when we spoke to him he told us that his wish was to go back to school so that he can learn how to read and write and, "ngikhone ukuthetha labangani bami ngi chatter labo njengo bhudi wami" (so that I can chat with my friends like my brother). He utters these words with difficulty as his speech is impaired. The social workers that have been dealing with the boys' case are also still unable to find a school for Lindani. Unfortunately, the family still has not received any compensation from the accident fund. Another need that the family has is that of a caregiver who can relieve their cousin Gloria who has her life at halt because she has to take care of the boys since they cannot afford to hire a caregiver with their meagre earnings. The boys also need wheelchairs as Lindani has outgrown his and Ronald's is becoming worn out. Ronald is in the school basketball team and is doing quite impressively in his academics. He is in need of sportswear and takkies as well as food to take to school to supplement the school diet. He says they have their supper early evening and sometimes he goes hungry as he would not be having snacks like other children.

Caroline, their mother, says she will appreciate food parcels and stuff like clothes and blankets for her boys. Lindani also needs stimulating toys that will develop his mental and motor skills. Lindani uses adult diapers, large size, that will be very handy if they can get more. Ronald had a laptop but because of their vulnerability somebody walked into their flat and stole his laptop.

As we leave Lindani tells us that he will phone us, "ma sengilikhumbula­." (When he thinks about us). We ask him what he wants us to bring for him on our next visit and he says, "lisiiphathele ikfc le nandos." (Please bring us kfc and nandos food for my brother and I.) We say our goodbyes and leave with big smiles because of the warmth we felt during our little time with the family.

A function is being organised so that all well-wishers and Friends of Lindani and Ronald who wish to meet the family can have that chance. Because of space and their condition Makokoba Health Care Initiative Trust is not in any liberty to allow home visits. This is also for security reasons. We are appealing to everyone to understand this stance so that we do not cause any problems that will disturb their peace and also the rules of the building where they live.

For further inquiries and any other donations EXCLUDING cash, please get in touch with our committee members based in Johannesburg on the following numbers and also on facebook:

Angie Nie Phiri 0733117905

Thandeka Pra Mpala 0843980788

Marilyn Nhlanhla Sibbs 0763509753

Pastor Mahluli Moyo 0737450775

Zanele Phathi Nyathi 0782522868

Any donations in form of cash please deposit into Lindani's mother bank account.

Account name: Caroline Lindokuhle Sibanyoni

Bank: First National Bank (FNB)

Account Number: 62125223933

Visit our website on www.makokobahea­lthcareinitiati­ve.org