Rodwell Khomazana was woken by terrifying screaming and pain; he was being mauled by a hyena; the damage was horrific, but thankfully, South Africans are opening their hearts to the brave 9-year-old.
South Africa (12 August 2021) – The Smile Foundation is helping South Africans to support Rodwell Khomazana of Masvingo Zimbabwe, who was mauled by a hyena outside his family church. The harrowing event has united so many people.
Little did Rodwell Khomazana know that he would be spending his 9th birthday away from everything he knows and loves. Surviving a horrific, traumatic hyena attack at a church service near Harare that resulted in unimaginable injuries that would change his life forever, Rodwell sustained extensive damage to his face. So extensive that his face will never be the same again. Injuries were so severe that they included the complete destruction of his nose, the loss of his one eye and his entire upper lip. Since he arrived in South Africa in June, Rodwell has undergone 4 reconstructive surgeries.
This brave little boy who still manages to show so much strength despite what he and his family have been through has come a very long way – all thanks to the immense generosity of plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr Ridwan Mia, his dedicated surgical team, all the other medical personnel who to have kindly offered pro bono services, and all those South Africans who opened their hearts and supported this worthy cause.
“Rodwell’s journey to recovery is far from over and we at Smile Foundation, with your help, would like to see him go the full distance.”
Apart from the further surgeries that Rodwell will need to live a normal life, which includes a full nose reconstruction, he will have to be taught how to eat and speak again. This means that Rodwell will need ongoing speech, occupational and physical therapy as well as post-operative treatment and aftercare. When Rodwell looks in the mirror, he will never see the same boy again. But surgeons are doing everything in their power to give him a face that resembles that happy boy that once stared back at him. As inspiringly positive and resilient as Rodwell has been, the psychological trauma from the sheer terror of that fateful night as well as the psychological impact of now living with facial abnormalities, we hope with the right counselling, he will be able to overcome the deep emotional scarring that he has endured.
Rodwell tragically lost his father last year, leaving his mother, Shamiso, to singlehandedly take care of him and his three siblings. Even though their family has very little and Rodwell’s medical bills continue to escalate, Shamiso still has great hope that she will see her son smile again.
“With our face, we are able to express our feelings and connect with the world. Not having full use of it is detrimental to our emotional wellbeing. Through Smile Foundation’s dedication to fulfil the needs of previously disadvantaged children, we intend to give every child a chance to overcome their difficulties through disfigurement and enjoy the gift of a happy and healthy childhood.
Our Chief Patron, the late honourable Nelson Mandela passionately supported Smile Foundation and his wish was that we reach as many children in need as possible. Just as the late Madiba who was proudly associated with our charity, believed that the future of our nation is in the hands of our children, we believe our world’s tomorrow lies with them too.”
“A real-life horror story of this kind is something no person should ever have to endure, let alone an innocent child. Although we can’t change the terrifying events of that night in May 2021, we can change how his childhood will turn out. Let’s join hearts and hands across the globe, to give Rodwell the future that all children deserve.”
To help this brave young boy face the world again, visit https://smilefoundationsa.org/help-rodwell/
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