An 11-year-old Bonteheuwel boy’s passionate appeal for a donation of a laptop, has touched the hearts of a Pinelands businessman and his family.
Leon Hendricks read the appeal (“Saadiq works to depend on himself”, Athlone News, January 18) when his friend, Rashied Isaacs, forwarded the article to him, and he did not think twice about helping Saadiq Daniels.
Saadiq, who is in Grade 6 at Vista Nova School, was eight months old when he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. The condition has left him unable to walk, and because he has a high tone (stiff muscles), he is unable to write. He makes use of a scribe when at school.
Despite his challenges, Saadiq refuses to allow his limitations to get the better of him. It is for this reason, that he made an appeal for a good Samaritan to donate a laptop, so that he can be more independent and type his notes while in class. He is already receiving lessons from his occupational therapist.
Mr Hendricks, from the DLK Group, an information and communications technology (ICT) company, said when he read the article, he was inspired by “this determined young man” and the passion displayed by Saadiq’s mother, Saadiqah Daniels.
On Thursday February 2, Mr Hendricks and his wife, Kim, gave Saadiq a new tablet, which comes with a keyboard and is pre-loaded with educational programs. The hand-over took place at Vista Nova School.
“Saadiq is very intelligent, and is such a fiesty character. When I met him, I realised that everything I have read about him in the article is so true. I know he will benefit from the tablet, and that he will use it to improve on his skills.
Ms Daniels said her family is so grateful for this generous and kind gesture.
“This is such a cute tablet, and it looks like a laptop, because it has a keyboard. Saadiq has been sitting with it at home – familiarising himself with it – since he got it. He is really excited about this tablet, and I am sure it will be of big benefit to him, especially when it comes to his independence. I am so grateful for the help we received from the Hendricks family, and I cannot thank them enough,” Ms Daniels said.
