“Go home and spend time with your family.” These were the words of a doctor at a state hospital when Obey Togarepi sought help after receiving a diagnosis of kidney failure in November 2015. The Straatwerk employee, a Zimbabwean citizen denied local public healthcare – even though he had an SA work permit –began to lose hope.
Obey started dialysis at a private facility in March 2016, with most of his salary going to two treatments per week, as well as supplementary medical expenses and a special diet. At the same time, he applied for private medical aid but was subject to a 12-month waiting period due to his pre-existing condition. His wife also brings in earnings (sometimes working seven days a week) but, between them, there hasn’t been enough to cover his healthcare out of pocket and support their two children, one of whom has since started grade 1.
This is why CCID online coordinator Scott Arendse stepped in. Last May, he organised a tennis marathon, Serving for Obey, in which he played non-stop for 12 hours. His idea was to raise funds to assist Obey, but also to raise awareness around his plight. “It seemed crazy that a human being contributing to the economy couldn’t receive treatment via the state. I set out to show Obey that, despite this, there are people who do care,” says Scott.
“We had a fantastic turnout and raised R30 000. This has made a dent in Obey’s dialysis bill of R105 000 since March 2016, the balance of which still needs to be paid. But, more importantly, it inspired many others to chip in in other ways.”
Obey will have made it through his healthcare waiting period on 1 June. Then his ongoing monthly dialysis cost will transfer to his medical aid and he will have access to more of his salary, which will help to begin paying back the debt still outstanding. This is why, almost a year to the day later, Scott is doing a “sequel” tennis marathon: Second Serve for Obey. This event will be to celebrate Obey’s first milestone on the road to full recovery, to thank those who made it possible and to alleviate at least some of the outstanding debt still owed. There is still a long way to go, but there is now a light at the end of the tunnel.
Please join Scott at Plumstead Tennis Club on 3 June. (Facebook event details)