Bergvliet High School (BHS) has taken to Facebook at announce that past pupil and former Paralympian swimmer, Achmat Hassiem, is currently in hospital fighting for his life. The name of the hospital has not been disclosed.
Achmat Hassiem, fondly referred to as ‘Sharkboy’, was announced to be in a coma in hospital on Sunday 19. According to the athletes family, he is struggling to come through from a recent surgery.
His family have called on those who know Achmat to pray for him.
Meanwhile, BHS’s principal has shared a heartwarming message on social media.
“As a school we are proud of our Paralympic and Eco Warrior hero, winner of a Bronze medal at the Rio Olympics, and we therefore call on the entire Bergvliet High community to lift him and his family up in your prayers. He needs our prayers to overcome perhaps his biggest challenge. We believe that the power of prayer will lift him out of the coma so that he can begin his road to recovery,” says principal Stephen Price.
Price goes on to acknowledge the country as a whole, taking the COVID-19 pandemic into account.
“I am mindful that our entire community has had to deal with the loss of family and friends over the past 18 months. Some we are aware are fighting for their lives in ICU, whilst others have passed on. Just over a week ago, one of our parents succumbed to COVID after a month long battle,” he continues.
Last year, BHS introduced a Day of Prayer to honour those who are struggling and those who have passed. Principal Price emphasised that that the school will hold a second day of its kind on Thursday 23 September.
“We will start the day with appropriate readings from the Bible and Koran, representing the major religions of our school. This will be followed by a short time of personal prayer. No learner or staff member will be required to participate but will be encouraged to spend some time in personal reflection.”
Parents, staff and past pupils are all invited to spend some time in the schools’ Garden of Remembrance from 7.15am until 3pm.
“The loss of a family member, whether from COVID or for other causes, requires us to stop for a moment and acknowledge their influence on our lives. Bergvliet High will “stop” on Thursday to do just that.
“Achmat needs our prayers today and I do pray that by next Thursday, we are able to offer prayers of Thanksgiving for his recovery,” concludes principal Stephen Price.
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Pictures: BHS Facebook / Twitter