Former students extricate teacher from jaws of death
WITH a beaming smile and determined gaze, Mr Givas Karume (57) takes his first tentative steps since undergoing surgery in November last year.
He has a pair of crutches to lend him steady support, months after his mobility had been compromised by a thoracic spine injury.
A thoracic spine injury can rupture ligaments, tear the spinal cord, damage intervertebral discs, and dislocate vertebral bones. Depending on the intensity of force, thoracic spine injury can be complete or incomplete.
The surgery — a thoracic spine decompression and stabilisation procedure — was a critical turning point for Mr Karume.
The surgery saw a metal rod, a plate and screws being attached to support his spine and maintain its alignment.
He could not help, but celebrate how his former students came through and helped him to raise part of the US$8 600 needed for his surgery after months of battling debilitating spinal condition.
The condition rendered him bedridden and immobile.
His once-active lifestyle, which included coaching high school women soccer, was abruptly halted as he grappled with excruciating pain and diminished mobility.
Last week, as he stepped forward, he greeted The Manica Post news crew with gratitude for having publicised his plight last year.
“Your article changed my situation for the good. My former students rallied around me and made my recovery possible. Your article sparked a chain of kindness from my former students that I will cherish forever,” he said.
In an emotive interview at his home in Mutare last year, Mr Karume broke down and screamed as he narrated how he ended up being bedridden and dependent on his wife and son for everything.
The then athletic and energetic man was accustomed to supporting his family, but struggled to conceal the agony that clouded his eyes then.
He said it began with chest pains that spread to his shoulders.
The pain persisted, forcing him to consult different doctors in Mutare and Rusape who could not detect the genesis of the problem.
One day, he lost balance and fell on his back while coaching the school’s girls soccer team and demonstrating how a penalty kick should be taken.
The same thing happened to him again in another training session, and he realised that something was seriously wrong with his health.
His legs began to feel numb as he struggled to walk and eventually became bedridden.
Still he had to find strength and money to fight a condition that turned his life upside down.
In a touching turn of events, he underwent a life-changing surgical operation, thanks to the overwhelming generosity of his former students who helped by paying for his rehabilitation at Ruwa Rehabilitation Centre where he stayed for close to
five months.
“I was faced with a scary medical bill beyond my means, but I did not lose hope because I knew that friends and family would help me pull through. In my instance, my former students across the world did something I never anticipated.
“I honestly thought only my friends and family would help me, but those kids came to my rescue during the darkest hour of my life,” he said.
Such response was nothing short of a miracle.
“I cannot name all of them because almost every one of them came through for me, and these are voluminous students. I have been a teacher since 1993, and I have taught many people who have become successful in different professions.
I believe they were driven by memories of my impactful teachings and mentorship.
“Each of my former students who read the article you wrote on my plight in The Manica Post contacted me afterwards, and interestingly some are still sending in money to help my family survive as I recuperate. I never expected all the love from students I thought had forgotten about me,” he said.
He also thanked the support of
numerous well-wishers, including The Manica Post and Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza.
“From my former students to the dedicated medical professionals who attended to and took care of me, each person played a vital role in shaping the path towards my recovery. When trouble first struck, I thought I was dying, but you guys showed me love,” he said.
Now, even as he takes hesitant steps forward with the aid of his clutches, Mr Karume looks to the future with renewed optimism.
His once-bright dreams of coaching his school’s girls soccer team to national success are no longer a distant aspiration.
It is a goal back on the horizon. “The doctors have already cleared me to resume work for the second term.
I was on the verge of taking an early retirement, but now I cannot wait to go back into the classroom,” he said with a broad smile.
Mr Karume is one of the few veteran languages teacher domiciled at Dope High School in Makoni District.
He also has an international qualification as an athletics coach. He still
looks forward to realise his dream of guiding Dope High School girls soccer team to national glory.
The team won the zonal competitions last year, before the debilitating spinal condition rendered him paralytic.
They were preparing for the district competitions when he faced the life threatening health challenge.
He soldiered on regardless of the excruciating pain.
However, the batteries lost fire as his condition deteriorated and was diagnosed with thoracic spine injury.
The situation took a toll on his family — emotionally and physically.
His wife — Mrs Karume — remains grateful to the support rendered to her husband.
“Words cannot express exactly how we feel as a family. We are very happy.
‘‘Now that my husband is gradually getting back to his fitness, as a family we are now focusing on my leg which also requires an operation after falling down while coming from a prayer session,” she said.