An eight-year old Heideveld girl who is battling a rare condition, got to experience what it’s like to be a firefighter – an adventure she has long wished for.
With the help of Reach for a Dream and Engen’s Employee Community Partnership Programme (ECPP), Alia Matthews, 8, and her brother Alonzo, 7, were given the opportunity to visit the Roeland Street Fire Station.
Alia’s life as she knew it changed 18 months ago, when she woke up in extreme pain. She still lives in pain daily, after being diagnosed with Osteoarticular tuberculosis (tuberculosis in her elbow joint).
Her mom, Suraya Matthews, said Alia had to undergo many tests, as it is difficult to diagnose this condition.
“When I took her to hospital initially, all the tests came back normal. The x-ray showed no broken bones, but she was in pain. The doctor put a cast on her arm in any case, thinking it might help her heal quicker. One doctor even suggested that the pain could be all in her head. A little while later I again rushed her to hospital, because this time around she woke up in pain and with a swollen arm. Then they did more tests and the results showed that she had an infection. She has already undergone one operation. She is now on medication, and once she completes the treatment, she might go for another operation. She is still in constant pain and can’t bend her arm. There is nothing more the physiotherapist can do for her,” Ms Matthews said.
She is very grateful for Alia and Alonzo’s experience at the fire station, Ms Matthews added.
“We don’t get this kind of opportunity. I am so happy for Alia. She loves all the gifts she received and is particularly elated for her tablet,” Ms Matthews said.
The day was made possible by Renee Kemm, who is an Engen retail training manager and Reach for a Dream volunteer, who is helping children battling life-threatening illnesses experience the magic of their dreams coming true. Through Engen’s ECPP, Ms Kemm raised funds to help make these dreams a reality.
“It was incredibly moving to see the happiness and excitement in Alia and Alonzo,” Ms Kemm said. “Both of them left the fire station with huge smiles. Knowing I played a small part in making Alia’s dream come true was a very special moment for me. The joy on her face was unforgettable as she tried on firefighting equipment, learned about the heroic work of firefighters, and even received gifts ranging from toys and sneakers to a tablet. This is what makes the work with Reach for a Dream so rewarding.”
Reach for a Dream, a non-profit that has been transforming the lives of seriously ill children for over 36 years, creates magical experiences that offer a brief escape from their challenges. The organisation’s initiatives – such as Dream Rooms, Laughter Heroes, and the Dream Club – bring joy to young dreamers and their families, providing them with moments of happiness and hope.
“These children face tremendous hardship and are in desperate need of joy and encouragement,” said Heidi Rowley, Western Cape branch manager at Reach for a Dream. “Engen’s support allows us to create magical moments that give these children hope and the strength to keep fighting.”
