Rachel’s social media post has rallied a village to care for an exhausted mother and a sickly daughter who need all the love they can get.
Cape Town, South Africa (02 September 2025) – Rachel Kolisi sat down for a quick nail appointment on Friday. What she didn’t expect was to walk out with a new mission, one that would change the day for an exhausted mom and stir a community into action.
Her nail technician, Letwin, was working carefully on her hands when the conversation turned personal. Rachel noticed Letwin’s own nails were unusually short. Letwin admitted that nail-biting had become her way of coping with the stress.
The kind of stress that comes with raising a little girl who has liver failure.
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For five years, Letwin has carried this weight. She has done everything in her power to get her daughter, Destiny, the treatment she needs, including raising R20,000 in funds that have gone towards blood transfusions and attempting to get her little girl onto the transplant list, which has proved unsuccessful.
Every single night, Letwin sleeps sitting upright with Destiny on her lap, her head against her mother’s chest. The only comfort and security she can offer unwaveringly.
“I wish I could just fix everything for her and offer solutions,” writes Rachel.
Letwin knows she cannot give Destiny everything, not without a village of support. But she can give her joy and happy memories. The pair have already explored Table Mountain and the aquarium, ticking off their dream adventures together. But there’s one that still remains. To take a helicopter ride together and see Cape Town from above…
Rachel shared this dream with her followers, asking if anyone could help. Help came in fast.
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The response was immediate. Offers streamed in for helicopter rides, and others offered to help with starting a fundraiser. Multiple organisations were tagged, and fellow moms shared love and encouragement for a battle that should never be fought alone.
While the road ahead is still paved with uncertainty for Letwin and her little girl, a space for care opened up.
Soon after Rachel’s appeal, a fundraiser was started by kind-hearted people who wanted to help make a difference. In just three days, R34,589 has already been raised for Destiny.
“Letwin has made the incredibly brave and selfless decision to focus not on fear, but on love, joy, and memories. She wants to spend whatever precious time is left giving Destiny beautiful moments, comfort, and the chance to experience a few final dreams—things that make her smile, feel special, and know how deeply she is loved,” reads the campaign.
Rachel’s meeting with Letwin is a reminder that we often sit next to strangers without knowing the storms they’re weathering. A small conversation revealed an entire world of struggle and love, and it created space for South Africans to step up with kindness.
Letwin’s story doesn’t have a neat, easy ending. But what she does have now is some support, and the promise that her little girl will get to soar above the city and laugh at the view.
“What I took from our short conversation is a massive amount of perspective, a reminder of a big divide that still exists, and that there is SO MUCH to be grateful for,” writes Rachel.
Sources: Linked above
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