NYS ’92 group donates R86,405 to Make A Child Smile foundation |27 July 2018

The handover of the cheque

The National Youth Service (NYS) group of 1992, also known as ‘Zanfan 1975 - Manrmay Reform’, have presented the Make A Child Smile foundation with a cheque worth R86,405.

It was the chairperson of the NYS ‘92, Rodney Maria, who officially presented the members of Make A Child Smile with this donation.

The funds were raised through a sponsored walk organised by NYS ‘92 in March this year in the northern region of Mahé.

Five-year-old Nathan Laporte and four-year-old Sharib Marie will be the recipients of this donation and they were both present at the brief ceremony on Wednesday along with their family.

Nathan suffers from cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder that affects the lungs and other vital organs.

His mother, Diana Bouchereau, says that his condition necessitates Nathan to travel consistently for treatment hence the donation will come in useful during his next medical trip to South Africa in August.

Meanwhile, Sharib from Praslin is being supported by Make A Child Smile in his pursuit to go to Chennai, India for further check-ups on his eyes and possibly to obtain bionic eyes which will make him see again.

Clifford Mondon, chairperson of Make A Child Smile, says that the bionic eyes will cost an estimated R2 million.

Sharib was diagnosed with eye cancer when he was 1 and ½ years old. He subsequently underwent operations to remove both of his eyes at a medical facility in Chennai.

His grandmother, Georgette Agathine, says that the doctors in Chennai insisted on conducting check-ups on his artificial eyes but that the Ministry of Health is unwilling to send him.

In this respect, the donation will come a long way to achieving this.