Community rallies to raise funds after Kiwi-Indian schoolboy dies suddenly in Auckland
Jason Brendon Madanu with his younger siblings. (Supplied photo)
In the weeks before his death, he became unwell, experiencing dizziness, fainting and painful mouth sores.
Community is rallying around the family of a 12-year-old schoolboy who died unexpectedly after a short illness this month. Jason Brendon Madanu, a Mt Roskill Intermediate student, died on September 7, just weeks before his 13th birthday.
The Telangana Association of New Zealand has launched a Givealittle fundraiser to help his family with funeral, burial and memorial costs. Jason is survived by his parents, Arogya Joseph Madanu and Bhagya Rani Madanu, two younger sisters and a younger brother.
“I see him everywhere,” his father told the New Zealand Herald, describing the void Jason’s death had left in the family.
Mt Roskill Intermediate had also announced plans for a mufti day on September 18, with koha to go directly to Jason’s family.
In a September 12 Facebook post, the school said Jason had died unexpectedly following a short period of illness and remembered him as kind, creative and a special part of its school whānau and Tennyson Centre.
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Jason was born in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad in 2013, and spent part of his early childhood there with his grandmother while his parents established themselves in New Zealand.
He later joined them in New Zealand and grew into a caring older brother with a strong interest in music and Christian worship. His family said he hoped to become a pastor.
At school, Jason had been looking forward to taking part in Mt Roskill Intermediate’s production of Moana Jr and had earned several achievement badges, including a Principal’s Award.
In the weeks before his death, he became unwell, experiencing dizziness, fainting, painful mouth sores and bleeding before being admitted to hospital.
His condition deteriorated and he later developed severe head pain before losing consciousness. A pathologist’s provisional opinion was that Jason suffered bleeding inside the skull as a complication of immune thrombocytopenia and infection.
Immune thrombocytopenia is a condition in which the immune system destroys platelets needed for blood to clot. Jason’s death has been referred to the coroner, so the final cause and circumstances of his death are yet to be determined.
The Givealittle campaign says the family is facing unexpected financial pressure following his death, with donations being sought towards funeral, burial and memorial expenses.
Jason’s school and the wider community have also rallied around the family in the weeks since his death.
