Together, lets help Sipho
Donation protected
It started 4 years ago. We met Sipho when we moved to South Africa in 2016, from England. Us, the McAllisters, a family of four from Surrey, now living in Cape Town, and Sipho, a single mother from the Eastern Cape. Two worlds meeting in Somerset West, Cape Town.
Fast forward to 2020, lockdown. After spending time together, in very close proximity, we got to know each other quite well, sharing our worries and anxiety about life and, in particular health. We shared our stories each evening. And it was at this point that we learned about Sipho's struggles with fibroids - she battled day after day with severe pain and agony, and more importantly the discomfort that arose from her 'female' issues. Without going into the gory details, and these details are quite painful, we wanted to do something to help her. We wanted to make a difference in her life, and relieve her from her monthly pains and associated anxiety.
For those not living in South Africa, it is hard to understand what the public health system has to offer it's citizens. And now, during this pandemic, life for the average South African, without medical aid (private health care) has become a bit of a lottery. One which we soon realised had been a journey of three to four years for our Sipho. Month after month, doctor after doctor, clinic after clinic, no relief or assistance, in any way for her. For those not living in South Africa, and seeing first hand the struggles an average South African encounters, it was heart sore for us, knowing someone close to us had to struggle to this extent for so long. But yet for us, it was as simple as booking an appointment with a private doctor and going to hospital. But yet for her, it had become so hard and difficult.
A mango. Imagine a mango. 15cm wide by 10cm high.
Why a mango you ask? Because that's the size of the biggest fibroid. Yes, a big, fat mango. So big, that they gynae could feel it with his bare hands, without having to do a scan. Normally, one the size of a walnut was big enough to reduce the strongest woman to tears. And here, our Sipho has spent years living with this.
We decided, as a family, that we would do what we could to assist Sipho. Siobhan, homemaker and determined mother and wife approached the local private hospitals and doctors about the procedure and through careful negotiations, has been been able to reduce the cost of a full hysterectomy to just under R50k (a saving of R15k to R20k).
And so our mission to change just one person's life started. We approached some of our UK families and our SA friends to get together to donate money towards Sipho's operation. And with their support and encouragement, we decided to take this further and get more people involved. Together, let's help Sipho and help her live a normal life. We are going to push and drive until we get enough funds to help her get the operation that will give her the quality of life she deserves. We know we are not going to change the world, but we are going to change one person's world. A bit cliche, but to us, this means a lot.
If we had the funds to do this on our own, we would, and we tried....but we don't. That doesn't mean that we give up. We knew we could reach out to the people in our tribe and the people in our people's tribes - together, let's help Sipho. Together, let's make a difference. Together, during these horrible and challenging times, let's give one person some hope and faith. Let's do this. Together.
And today on Nelson Mandela' birthday, we ask that you donate 67 dollars, 67 pounds, 67 rands, whatever you can afford to help us, help Sipho live a normal life.
Thank you for reading this far and we hope that you are able to help us, help her.
Fast forward to 2020, lockdown. After spending time together, in very close proximity, we got to know each other quite well, sharing our worries and anxiety about life and, in particular health. We shared our stories each evening. And it was at this point that we learned about Sipho's struggles with fibroids - she battled day after day with severe pain and agony, and more importantly the discomfort that arose from her 'female' issues. Without going into the gory details, and these details are quite painful, we wanted to do something to help her. We wanted to make a difference in her life, and relieve her from her monthly pains and associated anxiety.
For those not living in South Africa, it is hard to understand what the public health system has to offer it's citizens. And now, during this pandemic, life for the average South African, without medical aid (private health care) has become a bit of a lottery. One which we soon realised had been a journey of three to four years for our Sipho. Month after month, doctor after doctor, clinic after clinic, no relief or assistance, in any way for her. For those not living in South Africa, and seeing first hand the struggles an average South African encounters, it was heart sore for us, knowing someone close to us had to struggle to this extent for so long. But yet for us, it was as simple as booking an appointment with a private doctor and going to hospital. But yet for her, it had become so hard and difficult.
A mango. Imagine a mango. 15cm wide by 10cm high.
Why a mango you ask? Because that's the size of the biggest fibroid. Yes, a big, fat mango. So big, that they gynae could feel it with his bare hands, without having to do a scan. Normally, one the size of a walnut was big enough to reduce the strongest woman to tears. And here, our Sipho has spent years living with this.
We decided, as a family, that we would do what we could to assist Sipho. Siobhan, homemaker and determined mother and wife approached the local private hospitals and doctors about the procedure and through careful negotiations, has been been able to reduce the cost of a full hysterectomy to just under R50k (a saving of R15k to R20k).
And so our mission to change just one person's life started. We approached some of our UK families and our SA friends to get together to donate money towards Sipho's operation. And with their support and encouragement, we decided to take this further and get more people involved. Together, let's help Sipho and help her live a normal life. We are going to push and drive until we get enough funds to help her get the operation that will give her the quality of life she deserves. We know we are not going to change the world, but we are going to change one person's world. A bit cliche, but to us, this means a lot.
If we had the funds to do this on our own, we would, and we tried....but we don't. That doesn't mean that we give up. We knew we could reach out to the people in our tribe and the people in our people's tribes - together, let's help Sipho. Together, let's make a difference. Together, during these horrible and challenging times, let's give one person some hope and faith. Let's do this. Together.
And today on Nelson Mandela' birthday, we ask that you donate 67 dollars, 67 pounds, 67 rands, whatever you can afford to help us, help Sipho live a normal life.
Thank you for reading this far and we hope that you are able to help us, help her.
Organiser
Siobhan McAllister
Organiser