Mujuru Family (Chiredzi, Zimbabwe)

"Tanaka and his late twin brother, Takunda, were born on 29 September 2012 in Chiredzi town, Zimbabwe. We were very happy that God had blessed us with our first set of twins. Both Tanaka and Takunda had been given birth without complications, such that they developed normally in the early years of their lives, until it became clear that something was wrong.

In April 2015, when Tanaka and his brother were only 3 years old, we were referred to Parirenyatwa Referral Hospital, where they were examined and diagnosed of Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP). It was very difficult for us to cope with the findings. Takunda then started to develop tumours and cancer on his face and head. The condition advanced farther to cause shortage of blood circulation within his body. We tried our best to fund his medication, but sharply fell short because our financial status wasn't sound enough. After much pain and suffering, Takunda finally succumbed to disease on the 18th of November 2018 when he was just six years old.

Unfortunately, he left his twin brother lonely."

As the situation stands right now, Tanaka is partially blind. He has wounds on his scalp, which sometimes bleed and are challenge to heal. As a family, we are also facing challenges related to stigmatization, since lack of knowledge of condition, drives people to think that XP is a contagious/cursed disease and nobody wants to come near us. 

Tanaka has twin sisters, Anotidaishe and Anenyasha, born on 6 June 2020. They have also tested positive for XP. At the moment, they are not yet enrolled in school and we don't know whether they will make it, since their delicate skin is going through harsh sunburn experiences. Their eyesight is deteriorating. However, if we could have enough for them, their life expectancy could be lengthened.They need urgent medical attention and descent shelter, which does not reflect much light. Movement with them from one place to another during the day, is not an easy task. 

We continually try to seek help from well-wishers in our country, but all is in vain.