A small community are rallying to help one of their own with R290 000 worth of assistance – Martha Lebakeng was involved in a tragic shooting and is looking forward to getting back to her classroom.
Pretoria, South Africa (10 November 2021) – The Good Morning Angels received several pleas for assistance to help Martha Lebakeng. Martha is a teaching assistant at the Speel Speel Preschool in Pretoria, and she was recently caught in a violent robbery that led to the loss of her partner and her leg.
Martha and her partner were involved in a robbery in Mamelodi. Her partner tragically died in the shooting, and Martha sustained wounds to both her legs. She was rushed to the local state hospital, where the doctors had no choice but to amputate one of her legs above the knee.
Martha Lebakeng and her sister, Susan, both work at the preschool together. Susan is a teacher in the baby class, and Martha is her assistant. They both love their jobs and the babies, and parents love them.
“She is much more than just an assistant. She loves and cares for each child as if they are her own”.
Martha has been discharged from the hospital, is recovering well and currently staying with her sister. As Martha loves her job so much, she is determined to get back to work for all her babies. She will not be able to work using crutches and refuses to use a wheelchair, so Martha was hoping to get a prosthetic leg.
The head of the school, Nicola Marais, is committed to paying Martha her full salary while she is recovering and would like to see her back at work as soon as she is able to – with or without the prosthetic limb.
The preschool shared Martha’s story with the parents. One of them, Annelie Burger, who is an Occupational Therapist, has committed to assisting Martha with her recovery and her mission to walk again.
The prosthetic limb has been estimated at around R160 000 to have made up. Sadly, that amount doesn’t include any therapy or other treatment, renovations at home, therapy for the shock and trauma she endured due to the loss of her partner and mobility.
The parents from the school reached out to Good Morning Angels, asking for assistance. Alongside the occupational therapy provided by Annelie Burger, Martha has also been helped by Fritz Neethling from Meintjies and Neethling Orthopaedics.
“Annelie will waive all rehab therapy costs to assist Martha – estimated at around R80 000 and Fritz Neethling will make her new limb free of charge. An anonymous donor has also sponsored the costs of the parts used to make the leg – so she will not have to pay at all for the limb – valued at R160 000!”
Sybrand Bezuidenhout from Goldwagen heard the call for assistance, and the company donated R25 000 towards treatment and rehabilitation.
Jacaranda FM’s Good Morning Angels Fund NPC have added R25 000 towards Martha’s rehabilitation and other needs too.
Thanks to the help from everyone, Martha will be able to step back into her classroom in no time!
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