HELP RAISE A MILLION

Jonas Ramojela has an inoperable congenital heart problem as well as abdominal ascites.The condition makes his stomach swell up. His mother Keakabetse Ramojela narrated that the condition started in August 27, 2017 when the little boy’s right side of my stomach felt like there is a stone inside. Every Thursday she takes him to Marina where the urine (ascitic fluid) gets drained to reduce the swelling of the tummy. “At Princess Marina, they told me it’s the first time they are dealing with my son's condition,” said the mother of three. Since that August of 2017, the boy has been a regular at Princess Marina Hospital’s Department of Paediatrics. Several scans have been run on him but to no avail. Several x-rays were also taken but doctors say there is no cure for the condition. One Dr. Mazhani had this to say, “Ideally, the only solution could be heart or lung transplant which is currently not possible in our set up in Botswana.” Meanwhile, a University of Botswana charity organisation has come on board to raise P1 million to take the boy to a hospital in India that does heart transplants. Year Two Bachelor of Business Administration student Eric Karabelo who is behind ‘SaveaLife, SaveaChild’ initiative tells The Midweek Sun that they had identified a hospital in India that specialises in heart transplants. He however says that response from members of the public is slow. “What I have realised is that people are more curious to know about the boy’s condition and even though they show sympathy, contributing money remains a challenge,” he says, adding however that he was optimistic that his ongoing meetings with big local companies and individuals would bear fruit. Details on the campaign can be found on Life Savers BotswanaFacebook page. ZIMBABWE CHURCH THREATENS UNCLE OVER THE CHILD Meanwhile, the uncle of four-year old Jonas Ramojela says he is receiving intimidation from a Harare-based church called PHD Ministries for refusing to take the child to Zimbabwe to be healed with Prophet Walter Magaya’s anointed oils and water. Kennedy Ramojela, who has been speaking on behalf of his family regarding the health of Jonas, says he was told by the church representatives that the child would get healed if he is taken to Zimbabwe to meet the prophet. “They take turns in lashing out at me that I should take my nephew to Zimbabwe for prayers. I have asked them to come here, but they are refusing. I have also asked them to continue praying for him despite the distance because I know God answers prayers anywhere, anytime but they are having none of it,” says the Roman Catholic church member.He says the church threatened that God is going to punish him for refusing to obey. “They tell me that my nephew’s illness does not need money but only prayer and holy water from the prophet. “They are saying I’m wasting time seeking medical assistance, adding that the condition needs spiritual intervention only. “I tell them that the child cannot travel a long distance, but they curse me and say God is going to judge me harshly for refusing to go to Harare with the child,” he says, further asking for prayers from all churches. Efforts to get a response from PHD Ministries were futile as their phone rang unanswered.