CNN iReport

EIGHTEEEN-YEAR-OLD Taremeredzwa Nomatter Mapungwana will die unless £10,000 can be raised urgently for an operation in London.

Nomatter was a bright A’ Level student at St David’s Girls High School in Mutare until she was struck down by what doctors describe as a non-cancerous aggressive benign tumor which is disfiguring her facial bones.

Now Nomatter, whose dream was to become a doctor after topping her class in Maths, Biology and Chemistry, is experiencing breathing problems and says eating has become “a nightmare”.

Surgeons at London’s Bartholomeuw’s Hospital have agreed to carry out the operation to give Nomatter a second chance at life, but the hospital wants payment of just over £8,000 upfront.

Her parents, Edison and Thandiwe, are school teachers paid just US$310 between them every month and watch everyday as their daughter wastes away. They have five other children to look after.

The Girl Child Network Charity today launches an appeal for £10,000 to meet costs of the operation as well as air tickets to fly her and her mother to London.

In an appeal through the charity, Nomatter said: “My gums and face is swollen, puss and clotted blood are trickling out through my gums, and the lower part of my face is deformed. Breathing is now difficult and painful. I am using a pipe connected to my throat. I no longer use my nose for breathing and this is causing mucus to accumulate in my air passage.

“My chest is aching as my body is adjusting to this new condition. The pipe needs to be removed, cleaned and put back in place three times a day. I now dread these times of the day as I have to endure breathtaking pain. I am now using sign and written language to communicate.

“Eating has become a nightmare; I cannot chew any food and even with liquid foods l feel pain swallowing. My bed linen and clothes are always wet, making peaceful nights and days a dream to me.”

Betty Makoni of the Girl Child Network said: “Nomatter is a bright student who has always wanted to be a doctor. Our charity exists to encourage girls to break into male-dominated fields, and if we save her, it means we have saved one doctor who will go on to save thousands of men and women. I know there’s hope.”

Priscilla Nyathi, the UK-based director of the Girl Child network appealed to well wishers to also donate in kind towards the upkeep of Nomatter’s mother when she arrives in England.

Operation of Hope- US Contact

www.operationofhope.org

contact: jtrubenbach@cox.net