Judiciary staff, Takamaka pupils raise funds for Tashyfeen Alphonse’s surgery |03 June 2017

Mr Mondon holds a pupil from crèche in his arms during the religious service as he accepts the money raised by the Takamaka primary pupils

Touched by the plight of one-year-old Tashyfeen Alphonse who needs to undergo a costly surgery to correct a birth defect, staff of the Judiciary have raised R52,000 while pupils of Takamaka primary school supported by their parents and teachers have amassed R7,000.

While the Judiciary staff handed over their contribution to the little girl’s family during half-time of a charity football match they organised recently, the pupils of Takamaka primary school handed theirs to Clifford Mondon, the person leading the ‘Make a Child Smile’ campaign, during a religious service held at the Ste Marie Madeleine church yesterday as part of activities to mark Children’s Day.

The Judiciary staff printed colourful posters and organised a fundraising event. They also went to Victoria Market and asked for donations from the general public and passers-by. They were very touched by the reaction of the public and after three and a half hours, they had collected R51,853. They went even further and organised a charity football match between Judiciary FC and Under-17 at Stad Linite.

After the sale of tickets at R15 each, over R 52,000 was collected.

Chief Justice, Dr Mathilda Twomey, in the presence of all football players and their supporters, presented the money to the little girl’s family.

The ‘Make a Child Smile’ campaign has been raising awareness and encouraging solidarity on the medical plight of several children who need costly surgeries overseas and has subsequently been raising funds to help them.

Tashyfeen was born with a birth defect in which the infant's intestine or other abdominal organs are outside of the body because of a hole in the belly button (navel) area.

This condition called Omphalocele can be corrected with Omphalocele surgical repair in one operation which is expected to take place at the Apollo Bramwell Hospital in Mauritius.

As Tashyfeen is expected to remain in Mauritius for one month, the total costs amount to R207,219.

It was a pupil from crèche whose class had collected the highest amount who presented the donation to Mr Mondon.

Takamaka primary school head teacher Magda Rose said the International Children’s Day should not only focus on merry celebrations.

“We should also be reminded to contribute what we can towards the community and our school as well,” she said before expressing her appreciation towards all those who answered the call to help ‘Make a Child Smile’ to raise a remarkable contribution of R7,000 within a week.

“Make a Child Smile’ is a remarkable campaign and we wanted to contribute in any way we can and we also need to learn the value of giving as you never know when one of your own might be in need,” said Ms Rose.

The students also raised funds to help a school colleague with a complicated health condition and also buy a school bag with educational materials for an exemplary student Nicolette Arrisol.

Mr Mondon thanked them for their generous contribution and urged the children to seize the opportunities they have.

He has advised people who still want to make a contribution to help the little girl as well as other children in need to get in touch with him on telephone number 2814000.