A teenage girl from Cranberry Primary School in Alphendale who had been teased at school because of her missing front teeth will soon be able to smile with confidence a few months away from her Grade 7 farewell.
Lelam Rasmeni, a 13-year-old pupil who had been battling with low self-esteem, will receive new teeth at the Medicross Dental Centre at no cost.
The teenager confided in Itumeleng Basela, a pupil support agent from the primary school about her bullying experience.
A staff member then approached various dental clinics and hospitals for assistance. Her plea was heard by the Medicross Dental Centre and the pupil is now receiving treatment at no cost.
Lelam’s teeth were removed two years ago after they got decomposed.
Basela said the pupil had come to her office crying uncontrollably.
“She came to me sobbing; it was like she was assaulted. I asked what was bothering her and she then told me she was bullied for having no teeth,” she said.
Basela, a school counsellor who is responsible for the wellbeing of pupils at the school, said she felt she needed to intervene.
She said that Lelam was embarrassed about her situation.
“I didn’t even know she had no teeth because she was good at hiding it. Apparently it’s been two years since she hasn’t had them.”
Touched by the pupil’s pain, Basela researched clinics and hospitals that could assist.
“I approached different dentists to try my luck and Medicross called me back for a free consultation.
“This week [Thursday] the pupil will be going for her second consultation.”
The school counsellor said having no teeth affected Lelam’s confidence.
“She didn’t even want to go to a Grade 7 farewell; that’s how much devastated she was.
“You can imagine that if she doesn’t want to be free around her peers, that means she isn’t ready for high school.”
Basela said one of the fulfilling moments in this journey was seeing how excited the pupil was about getting her new teeth.
“She is excited, she didn’t even know what to say or do. Her mom is also thrilled about this.”
Head of Medicross dentistry, Kate Sifuba, said the hospital sometimes offered a helping hand to families in need.
“Itumeleng approached us about Lelam’s situation and we asked her to bring her in so we could help.”
Lelam was one of the people who couldn’t afford the fees so they decided to intervene.
“I take the decision, so I decide who we will charge and who needs to be charged. From my side, I give permission of who can receive services free,” Sifuba said.
“We do help people who cannot afford it. We have people who sometimes come here and we realise they cannot afford the services, so we give them free services.
“This doesn’t apply to everyone, but we try to reach out to those who are struggling.
“It’s not a big thing to us as we try and chip in where we can, especially if it is not that expensive.”
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