Taremeredzwa Nomatter Mapungwana turns 19

Tare

Taremeredzwa Nomatter Mapungwana turns 19 today, 14 January 2009. In an exclusive interview with GCNW reporter Tecla Maone, she revealed today all hope to reach 19 had been lost when she succumbed to the tumour that held her captive and even stopped her completing her Advanced level studies .

Speaking from her aunt`s place in Kent today ,Tare shared a touching and heartbreaking  message through Tecla Maone aged 21 who is Girl Child Network Worldwide  reporter based in Essex. She hoped the world and all people who contributed to her treatment  will hear this message of gratitude that comes with tears of joy .

`I suffered Juvenile ossifying fibroma since I was 12 years and you can imagine since then I had accepted this condition to be part of my daily life .You can imagine when your body brings another part of the body that disfigures your face .You can imagine how I felt each morning I looked in the mirror. I developed low self esteem . However ,at my school at St David`s Bonda Girls High ,everyone understood what I was going through and many times friends comforted me, ` said Tare who recently  regained her speech after six months .

Girl Child Network Zimbabwe  board chair Veronica Nyoni and some girls made an appeal to Betty Makoni Founder of GCN to help Tare get a visa and outstanding funds for her treatment .A total of 20 000 US dollars was raised by the family and some private companies like Econet and Stanbic bank with help from Reverend Manhanga and many other Zimbabweans in Zimbabwe  .Betty Makoni mobilised a group of volunteers in UK who helped to fundraise about  15 000 pounds.One donor who wants to remain anonymous donated 3000 pounds outside the two funds .

`I really want to thank everyone for all great efforts .The people are so many and the efforts touch my heart daily .I have  been reading all emails and messages from each one of those who helped me and all I can say is that I am personally touched and failing to reach out to everyone but through my face book I hope to interact with all of those who donated towards my treatment `, said Tare who has maintained that the contributions came with all pain and commitment from everyone and that is what humbles her .

On recent negative media publicity Tare urged everyone to remain united because amidst all this her story to treatment and healing should inspire everyone to do more even to extend such support to many women and girls whose pictures have also been brought to her attention .

Recently, after successful operation in England ,Girl Child Network Worldwide has received urgent appeals from four  poor and economically disadvantaged girls and a woman in Zimbabwe who are battling the same condition  with not much support and attention coming their way

`What I really liked is the unity shown by Zimbabweans and people from all over the world  when they came to support me .They all came in large numbers to the hospital .They cheered me up and this really left a lasting impression on me,` said softly spoken and  intelligent Tare. 

Meanwhile Tare has announced that a low profile family get together small party will be done when everyone is at home tonight .

`We bought a small  cake as a family .We have some drinks and we will cheer up ourselves ,we have some snacks,just something to celebrate life I never thought I would have after seven years in this painful condition ,`said Tare .

In her birthday message to this news reporter, Tare has officially broke silence amidst recent falsifications on her condition by some online newspapers who had labelled her a pauper with an infection and living in a bad condition

`What makes me happy is that  I am  19 today  and am grown up  and I always thought I would never live up to 19 years because of the tumor .I have high hopes that everything will work out fine .I have faith in everything and there is a bright future for me .I thought I could not get to 19 .My name Taremeredzwa means we have been honoured and honestly my parents had it right and I must say all of you have honoured me. My second name is Nomatter and it befits this moment because nomatter what we say, what has been done to restore my health speaks louder than anything .I am now eating normally ,talking and also drinking without a straw ,`said Tare with a smile on her face .

She went on to call on all her supporters to remain united till to the end of her treatment which will end with a second operation in late January 2010.

`I am overdelighted that I was given a warm welcome and this has speeded my healing .I am so positive about life and that’s why any slightest negative report worries me because when I had the tumour with me I could not think positive . Given what has been done to support me I have no better way to express my gratitude other than to do to other what good has been done to me .

Professor Hutchison announced in an email yesterday that Tare will definitely need to go through a second operation that will see her stay in hospital for only one night . He said his treatment for Tare will remain free and charges of up to 5000 pounds for second operation cover other hospital costs .He hopes to remove the overactive parathyroid gland that causes the tumor and trimming the front gum so that her mouth closes and returns to normal .It is hoped by then Tare will come out of this second operation with a new look . However ,it is hoped after the operation a bone would be formed so that her teeth will be replaced and if not it means the issue of having any teeth will be in vain .

I am ever grateful to Professor Hutchison .He is my true hero in the medical field .I have been with him for six months and it would appear I am now six months in the medical school .When he  treats you he also teaches you and by the time I start my degree in medicine I would have done almost half of my first year .`

Tare shared her one anxiety –going back to school .

`I am just anxious  to finish my treatment so that I go back to school and complete my advanced studies .I am hoping to graduate as a dermatologist so that I support other children in Zimbabwe .I am really  worried that if my treatment is prolonged I will end up very old in school,` she said  

Tare has had the tumor for seven years ,operated three  times in Zimbabwe and South Africa and her last hope for survival is here in the UK .

Meanwhile the President and Founder of Girl Child Network Worldwide Betty Makoni whose offices are based in Essex ,England  has urged the world to shun negative recent media reports that tried to manipulate the public into thinking Tare funds were looted and that she is a pauper and grounded .She maintains that her focus is on girls and constructive critics do not post such misinformation as what the world saw in the last few weeks and she called for those responsible to think and act responsibly and that a team of legal and financial experts will deal with them soon whilst she continues to focus  her efforts to support Tare and other girls in need of urgent attention.

`I am not so sure how the world can be fooled to believe all this given the hard work put into Tare `s care by everyone involved .I am hoping Tare enjoys her 19^th birthday and remain focussed on regaining her health .Working in the public arena can always result in mishaps but at the end of the day we don’t focus on every mouth that is talking but rather we focus on well intentioned actions and it is good that amidst all this we have a healthy girl who is on her way to achieving her dream as a doctor .GCNW will continue work for and with girls ,` she said .

Since 1998 ,Girl Child Network has assisted over 70 000 girls who face poverty ,drop out of school ,are raped and fear to break silence .The organisation has 18 global awards for excellence ,innovation and commitment to girls empowerment .Recently the world gave an applause to Betty Makoni when she was announced top ten CNN hero . Recently GCNW sent a financial statement showing how funds donated to Tare were used and this is in addition to seven clean audits the organisation has produced over ten years  of its existence .GCNW has worked with over 23 donors and over 12 million dollars during the past ten years and benefitted thousands of girls who have joined many professionals round the world and in Zimbabwe  .

For Tare every birthday after the operation is being reborn!!!!!!

Well wishers to support Tare can contact her on email tarenomtter@googlemail.com .Tare is on face book as Taremeredzwa Mapungwana and she is on cell 07970304985  and her skype is tarenomatter

All donations in cash and kind welcome

I am your reporter for Girl Child Network Worldwide based in Essex and for comments email me on info@girlchildnetworkworldwide.org and our website is www.girlchildnetworkworldwie.org

Happy birthday Tare and wish you many more years to come !!!!!!