Ten-year-old Eben Beukes was once the kid with the brightest smile in the room. Today, he’s fighting to stay alive, and South Africans from every corner are coming together to make sure he doesn’t do it alone.
South Africa (04 May 2025) – Sometimes, life hits harder than we think possible. But sometimes, people show up in ways that remind us just how powerful love and community can be.
Ten-year-old Eben Beukes is the kind of kid who used to light up every room he walked into. Full of joy. Gentle. Kind. The type of soul that made the world just a bit softer.
But in December, everything changed. What started as a COVID-19 diagnosis quickly spiralled into something much more serious, a rare condition known as PIMS (Paediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome), followed by a severe streptococcal infection.
Eben’s little body was overwhelmed. He suffered multiple strokes and significant cerebral damage. Practically overnight, his world, and his family’s, was turned upside down. Now, he requires round-the-clock care: from feeding and hygiene support to constant medical attention and specialised equipment.
It’s an unimaginable reality for any parent… and Eben’s father, Hendrik Beukes, is walking it with courage most of us can barely fathom.
Two years ago, Hendrik lost his wife to a stroke. Now, as a single father, he’s carrying the emotional weight of caring for his critically ill son while holding space for his daughter Ané, who’s just 15 and watching her baby brother fight battles no child should face.
But here’s where this story turns. Because while the odds have felt cruel, South Africans are doing what they do best… rallying around a family that desperately needs some light.
Since launching a BackaBuddy crowdfunding campaign, R148,750 has already been raised by ordinary people doing something extraordinary. The goal is to raise R500,000, enough to help provide the care, comfort and dignity Eben deserves.
The donations don’t just cover medical costs. They’re keeping hope alive. They’re helping a dad breathe. They’re reminding a family that they are not alone.
And the messages are just as powerful as the money.
“You don’t know me,” wrote one donor, “but I see you. You’re not forgotten. Your love for your boy is the kind of strength this world needs more of.”
Another simply said: “From one parent to another, we’re with you.”
Whether it’s R10 or R1,000, a prayer, or a message of support… it all matters. It all adds up. And it’s proof that empathy isn’t just a nice idea; it’s a living, breathing force.
So if you’re able to help in any way, big or small, you can make a real difference. You can be part of the story that reminds a grieving father that the world is still full of kindness. That his son still matters to people far beyond their circle. That good things really can happen, even in the hardest moments.
To donate or learn more, visit the BackaBuddy campaign here.Or reach out directly to Hendrik Beukes on 0614621420 if you’d like to offer support or kind words.
*At the time of publishing, the Crowdfund amounted to R148,750, that number has since increased to R238,060.
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Good Evening Brent
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for doing this for us.
When we started, I was scared. I honestly didn’t want to do anything like this, because I believed I could handle everything on my own — as I’ve done since my wife, Adele, passed away. But friends and family encouraged me to continue and reminded me that one dad can’t do this alone. “It takes a village,” they said — and they were right.
There are a few things about our life I’d like to share that haven’t been said yet.
Like many families, we struggled during COVID, trying to cope with the challenges it brought. But instead of falling apart, our family grew stronger. Every day, we planned everything together — schoolwork, playtime, and family time. That unity became our strength.
When my wife passed, my two kids stood strong. Their devotion to each other and to me was so powerful, it felt like we could’ve faced wars and come out victorious. And this — this journey we’re on — is one of those battles. But with God, we will overcome.
Eben is a testament to strength and a living example of what family love truly means. He reminds us every day of the importance of keeping those we love close, of praying for forgiveness, and of holding on to unshakable faith.
Thank you for helping us “make a difference.”
Hendrik Beukes