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Ward renovation in memory of elia

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In a four patient hospital room in Tshitereke in South Africa, Elias Ndou stared out of his adult cot bed to the window beyond. Although he could still hear the hospital buzzing to life around him, he no longer felt part of that world. Struck down with a hemiplegic stroke that rendered his right side useless, he was coherent enough to understand the hopelessness of his situation.

If he turned his head he could see a washroom housed a bathroom and a basin, however not an area big enough to wheel a patient inside and turn them around. There were no handrails to help steady himself with his good side, no shower chairs to sit in, though they would be useless without a shower. Bed washes were his only option and at times this was a messy ordeal, when nurses were busy and soiling himself was unavoidable. Outside the sun shone but it was nothing but a reminder of what he could only look at, but never enjoy. There simply were not enough wheelchairs available for family to take him on an outing through the garden. Without any stimulation to his body or mind Elias gave up the will to live. Three months later, at the age of 63, leaving behind seven children, a wife, a brother and a sister, he died.

Hi I’m Lu. I currently work as a nurse in Emergency Department. Elias was my brother. It is hard to imagine hospitals without basic necessities for patients but in this village that is the reality. It broke my heart to see Elias when I flew back for a visit. I had to help my well brother wash him when he had soiled himself. It would have deeply humiliated Elias to have his sister see him like that. If handrails had been installed and a bathroom better equip for his needs my brother may have been able to help him alone without me in the room. We all deserve a little dignity in sickness, don’t we?

When Elias passed away I decided that I’d like to renovate a few bathrooms in the hospital so other patients and families do not have to go through the same ordeal as my brother. If there was more equipment and better facilities I am sure my brother would not have given up on life. He would have been able to get out of bed and would have fought harder to rehabilitate. It doesn’t cost much to renovate a bathroom and luckily an Australian dollar donation goes a long way.


$6 buys a shower arm
$10 buys a shower head
$10 buys a walking stick
$10 buys paint
$13 buys a hand rail
$27 buys a shower bench
$27 buys a shower waste outlet
$34 buys a shower chair
$38 buys a walking frame
$40 buys a shower tap
$60 buys a commode chair
$75 buys a toilet
$97 buys a wheelchair

I am hoping to raise at least $5000.00 to renovate some bathrooms and buy some equipment within the village hospital. Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated. It will help build a sense of community and show others within the village that we must do what we can to help those less fortunate. I am hoping to ease the mental anguish of patients who suffer with minor and major strokes get back on their feet quicker or maintain some dignity without losing their will to live. I will keep anyone who donates updated on our progress. Thank you in advance.

Organizer

Lufuno Lulu
Organizer
Forrestfield, WA

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