A nine-year-old boy from rural Zimbabwe has lived for years with a massive, progressively growing tumor that has dramatically altered the center of his face. The growth has distorted his features, impaired his vision, caused severe pain, and subjected him to social rejection and isolation.

Simbarashe Dande was born in March 2015 with what initially appeared to be a small wart on the right side of his face. By age three, the mass began expanding rapidly. Doctors diagnosed him with maxillofacial osteosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer affecting the facial bones. The tumor eventually engulfed much of his face, involving the maxilla and nasal structures, making it difficult for him to see properly, eat solid food, speak clearly, or breathe without assistance.

His parents, Maria and the late Thompson Dande, sought every available treatment in Africa. In 2019–2020, the family raised funds that allowed Simbarashe to travel to South Africa for chemotherapy (seven cycles) and partial surgical removal of the tumor. A long-term tracheostomy was inserted to help him breathe. Unfortunately, the growth returned and continued to enlarge uncontrollably after the intervention, leaving him dependent on the breathing tube and limited to soft foods. Local stigma led some community members to describe the condition as a “curse,” and other children at school were frightened by his appearance, forcing him into home-based education.

His aunt, Violet Makunike (based in Birmingham, UK), has been a driving force behind ongoing fundraising efforts through organizations such as Hope for Zimbabwe Children and GoFundMe campaigns. The goal has been to secure specialized maxillofacial surgery and facial reconstruction abroad—options not readily available or successful in the region—so that Simbarashe could regain function, reduce pain, and have a chance at a more independent future. Estimated costs for advanced care (including assessments at facilities such as the Mayo Clinic) have been quoted in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Despite the enormous physical and emotional toll, Simbarashe’s mother has continued to care for him at home alongside his younger brother, while the extended family has worked tirelessly to keep hope alive through awareness campaigns and donations. The case underscores both the devastating impact of rare pediatric facial tumors in resource-limited settings and the power of family determination and international solidarity in seeking complex reconstructive surgery.

Recent medical updates indicate that Simbarashe underwent further tumor-removal surgery in Zimbabwe in early March 2026. Recovery has been prolonged and closely monitored, with the boy remaining under intensive care for weeks afterward as teams managed complications related to blood levels and overall stability.

This ongoing journey highlights the critical need for accessible specialized pediatric maxillofacial care and the resilience of families facing seemingly insurmountable medical odds.

Sources

• The Sun / SWNS reports on Simbarashe Dande’s condition and aunt Violet Makunike’s fundraising appeal (July 2024).
• Birmingham Live coverage of the family’s plea and medical history.
• GoFundMe and Hope for Zimbabwe Children campaign updates detailing diagnosis, prior South African treatment, tracheostomy, and ongoing needs.
• Subsequent medical progress reports shared by Violet Makunike regarding the 2026 surgery and recovery.