Chapter 8 - Minor Ailments

Sometime later whilst living with my grandparents, I developed an infection in my left eye. It started itching and was painful and sticky in the morning. The eye was lachrymating and very sensitive to light. Gradually my eye was getting smaller and smaller.

My friend Masali was asked to look into my eye to see if there was any foreign body. She saw white spot on my cornea. My grandmother checked my eye also but saw nothing. Masali was called. She was asked to prick her right index finger and squeeze the blood into my eye. This was according to our custom because she was the first one to see white spot on my cornea. After a few days, there was still no improvement.

I then decided to write a letter to Mom informing her of my situation. She quickly informed my uncle, Mr Phineas Maponya. He was a teacher at a nearby village called Laaste Hoop.  He took me to a doctor in Pietersburg in his car. The doctor gave me an injection, medication, and eye drops. The infection was gone within a few days. It was a real miracle especially considering my friend's blood. I thank God and my uncle's swift action. If it was not for them, I would have lost my vision.

My brother Johannes developed a skin infection. He had sores all over his body. As a result, he could not ...

My younger brother, Johannes "Mokolobetsi"
 Rakoma, who once developed a skin infection.

To find out more about Johannes' condition; buy the book at: https://www.amazon.com/Memories-Life-Alexandra-Township-Know/dp/1483693805 (Amazon) or http://www.takealot.com/the-memories-of-my-life-in-alexandra-township-i-know/PLID36786983 (Takea