Tendai Frashaz, a 13-year-old girl from Chikhuthe Village under Traditional Authority Njewa in Lilongwe, is the daughter of Samson and Cecilia Frashaz. Her inspiring story begins in October 2020, when she fell seriously ill and was referred from Area 25 Health Centre to Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) for further medical evaluation, including a full blood test and scan.
At the time, KCH’s scanning machine was not operational, so Tendai was sent to the African Bible College (ABC) Clinic, where doctors initially suspected she might be developing epilepsy. However, upon returning to KCH for follow-up care, doctors discovered that she had a brain tumour.
The cost of the surgery she needed was MWK 160,000 (approximately $91)—a sum her family could not afford.
As her condition progressed, Tendai tragically lost sight in her left eye, leaving her with vision in only her right. Her doctor recommended that she take part in physical and sporting activities as part of her recovery. The illness had already disrupted her education, with her school performance dropping significantly compared to her earlier results. It also took a toll on her confidence and self-esteem, leaving her feeling isolated and hopeless about her future.
In response, her parents reached out to Bhubesi Pride Foundation’s (BPF) Clubs for Development (C4D) program, seeking support for their daughter. After an assessment, Tendai was enrolled in the C4D Netball Academy. Since joining the programme, Tendai has become more physically active, leading to improvements in her overall health. She has also gained confidence and developed stronger social skills, both with fellow participants and her classmates. No longer feeling left out at school, at home, or in her village, Tendai now sees a brighter future for herself.
She is determined to one day become a medical doctor – an ambition born from her own journey of recovery, resilience, and renewed hope.
