Good Samaritans have come together to assist a Kruger safari guide in getting a prosthetic eye after a devastating car accident.
Christopher ‘Rasta’ Maseko tragically lost his left eye in an accident caused by a drunk driver in November last year.
Christopher’Rasta’ Maseko before the accident (Picture: Sourced)
The 42-year-old safari guide is from a small village known as Mpatseni in the Mpumalanga province.
As reported by SA Good News, he earned his nature guide qualification in 2009 after a number of setbacks, and became a sought-after guide as a result of his passion for wildlife and storytelling.
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For many years, he has shared his knowledge, humour and love for Kruger National Park with visitors.
On a quiet Sunday morning while driving to work, a drunk driver veered into his lane. This caused a head-on collision, and the impact of the crash resulted in a windshield wiper piercing his left eye.
‘Losing my eye has been incredibly challenging. I can no longer drive the larger vehicles, which impacts my work. But I am so grateful to still be here. That’s what matters most,’ he shared.
After witnessing the challenges that he now faces, his close friend and colleague, Dianne Wichman, decided to start a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy.
The campaign is aimed at raising R30 000 for his prosthetic eye and to help with his recovery.
It has been met with a heartwarming outpouring of support from the community, with 20 donors currently having contributed over R27 000.
‘BackaBuddy is an amazing platform to reach people who are in a position to help. No matter how big or small, the donations have made a huge difference and it is heartwarming to know that there are so many people who are prepared to help Christopher,’ said Wichman.
Moved by the kindness, generosity and strength of community which he has witnessed, Maseko remains optimistic.
‘I’ve faced many challenges in life, and this is just another one to overcome’.
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