As a boy, Eksoda’s undiagnosed symptoms – constant thirst, sudden weight loss and erratic energy levels – made him an easy target for bullies. Classmates taunted him, calling him “the thirsty one” and “always tired.” Desperate and confused, he began to frequently miss school. By the time he was officially diagnosed, the taunts had left deep scars. Forced to leave school, he found himself cut off from friends and community support, believing he was broken beyond repair.

  The teenage years that followed his diagnosis were marked by isolation. Insulin injections, blood sugar monitoring and strict dietary routines set him apart from peers who seemed to navigate adolescence effortlessly. With no local support groups or diabetes education, Eksoda felt as though he were charting unknown territory alone. Erratic glucose spikes led to hospital visits, and the cycle of shame and avoidance only deepened his sense that diabetes was a life sentence of stigma.

Realisation

  It was in the face of these struggles that the seeds of his future mission were sown. Determined to turn pain into purpose, he began seeking out any snippet of information on diabetes management. He learned that effective self-care could transform diabetes from a threat into a manageable condition. As his own health stabilized, so did his resolve to bring this knowledge home and dismantle the fear that once engulfed him.

  In recent years, Eksoda has emerged as an unofficial community health advocate. He organizes monthly gatherings at the primary health clinic where residents learn about blood sugar testing, healthy food and insulin administration. He navigates resource scarcities – sharing his glucometer with others more in need. His ability to bridge medical knowledge with local customs has earned him trust among community members, nurses, traditional healers and parents alike.

Koru Camp visit

  Last month marked a milestone in his journey when he he visited Koru Camp along the Olifants River, organized by the Tshemba Foundation and sponsored by the Timbavati Foundation. Set against the dramatic backdrop of acacia trees and roaming elephants at Koru Camp, nine teenagers with Type 1 diabetes came together for three days of guided workshops, wildlife safaris and peer bonding. For many, this was their first opportunity to meet others who understood the daily balancing act of insulin doses and jam-packed school schedules.

  At Koru, the teens broke the silence they often carry. Around the evening campfire, one girl said, “I was too scared to tell my friends why I leave class for injections.” A boy confessed, “I almost stopped taking insulin because I didn’t want anyone to see the syringe.” They all struggle with not being able to eat what their friends can eat but the camp uncovered an unexpected truth: they were not alone.

  With Eksoda’s gentle guidance, they practiced testing, shared healthy snack recipes, and learned why checking blood sugar before a gamedrive is so important. Under the Tshemba Foundation volunteer doctors mentorship, they practiced glucose testing interpretation and action with quiet confidence, learned to know what to do with highs and lows, how to get their friends to help them. The kids used their glucose testing skills to test the Koru Camp and Timbavati Foundation staff for diabetes. The volunteer doctors and the Tintswalo hospital doctor taught the staff how to stay healthy and prevent Type 2 diabetes – an emerging health crisis in the world, and the number one killer of women in South Africa. This is preventable with a healthy lifestyle which is often challenging in a big 5 camp.