Dixlau Kubie - Bushman baby badly burned – YOU can help
In April this year I had the privilege of spending some time with a clan from the Naro Bushmen in the Kalahari. Neeltjie Bouwer was our host and the owner of Grasslands Lodge where we stayed. Neeltjie grew up with the bushmen, can speak their language and is passionate about their survival.
Recently Neeltjie made me aware that Dixlau Kubi, a child of 2 years old fell in a hole with some hot coals in it. She was severely burned. As the bushmen rub shoulders with us, our so-called wealth and assets they trust their own healing remedies less, which is very sad. The child was rushed to Gaberone hospital where she received poor treatment and was separated from her family and mother for several weeks. She returned home with her hand amputated, the remaining thumb stuck to a burnt stub, open, unhealed burn wounds on her knee that could become infected and she was no longer able to walk. This is more than sad, I find it horrific.
True to form Neeltjie could not see this and do nothing, so many of us who spent time together on this trip began to explore ways to facilitate better healing for this child. In the meantime the bushmen refused to send the child back to the hospital and begun their own treatment from healing plants in the bush.
Their traditional methods have been incredibly successful, again a message to the world we cannot let these people become extinct, they have knowledge and ways of living with each other and relating to the earth that are irreplaceable and of enormous value.
Dixlau still needs further treatment, skin grafts to close the small patch of open wound on her knee, some hand surgery so she can use her left hand again and physiotherapy to help her walk again. Life Hospital, a private enterprise in Gaberone, and their staff have chosen to become involved at reduced costs, but they cannot take care of all the medical care and surgery this child needs for free. Funds are needed. The child will have initial surgery which will necessitate a hospital stay of about a week, thereafter treatment will be for a few days a week with Dixlau being able to return home to those she loves. This treatment plan is a good one, a wonderful combination of care, traditional and modern medicine.
If you would like to contribute to Dixlau’s healing please send funds into the bank account details below. Neeltjie has promised to keep us informed as to how these funds are allocated and of the progress of Dixlau.
Account Name: Dixlau
Account No. 157581853
Bank: Stichting Taaibosch Ultrecht
IBAN: NL29RABO 0157581853
BIC: RABONL2U
Bank Address: Rabo, Postbus 223, 3500 AE Ultrecht, The Netherlands