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Thandeka Moyo, Health Reporter
WHILE thousands of Zimbabwean children benefit from subsidised primary education through the Basic Education Assistance Module, a Tsholotsho girl believed to be seven-years-old cannot go to school because of a rare skin disease.

Mary Sibanda, a light skinned girl, has black spots all over her body.

She is prone to blistering and her skin peels off leaving reddened tender spots.

The Chronicle caught up with the girl who can be easily mistaken for a visually impaired person as her eye lashes have fallen off.

Her paternal grandmother Ms Sikhanyiso Lunga, who is temporarily staying in Tsholotsho, said Mary has an older sister who has the same challenge.

“I cannot clearly say what transpired but she developed this scary disease when she was very young. She often has bleeding wounds all over her body and has developed unsightly scars’,’ said Ms Lunga.

“When it was time for her to go to school about two years ago, school authorities asked her family to first get her treated before she can attend school. Her mother is alive but also has the burden of fending for three other children sired after Mary which makes this child’s situation hopeless.”

She said the girl’s family in Shangani where they originally come from is struggling to put food on the table hence they shelved the idea of getting her treated.

“She cannot go to school and spends a typical day playing by herself while waiting for her peers. I feel pained when I look at her enthusiasm to learn from her peers who sometimes take time to come share what they would have learnt at school,” Ms Lunga said.

The girl, whose grandmother is not sure when she was born, is easily identified by one dress which she has.

One of the neighbours, Mrs Lisa Moyo, said the girl has failed to get medical help.

“I was pained when I noticed that she sits by the gate daily and waits for her peers to come from school and share what they would have learnt. She is a happy child but her wounds make most community members shun her,” she said.

“We wish to see her healed and going to school like other children. The family also needs help with food and clothing.”

The family can be contacted at Number 438 Efusini in Tsholotsho. — @thamamoe