The Dischem Foundation came to the assistance of a two year old boy named Antonio Vassen. He was born with his ear canals closed and, as a result, has been unable to speak.

This has also affected his balance and he has not been able to learn how to walk. Modern technology would provide Antonio with the assistance he so desperately needed. He needed a unit called a Baha Divino, which is fitted on to the head and would enable Antonia to pick up sounds.

In time, he would be able to hear his mother speak to him, he would learn to talk, and he would learn to walk. The problem was that his mother Diane Kollopen was unable to afford the unit, which cost R37 thousand.

That’s when the Dischem Foundation stepped into help, and provided the funds for the unit. With the help of the unit, Antonio has finally heard his mother’s voice, and he’s now slowly learning to talk and walk, and ultimately to lead a normal life.