By Alesha Capone
Point Cook’s Amy Jonker is hopeful she and her five-year-old daughter Rebecca will soon be able to fly home from South Africa.
Ms Jonker, her husband Daniel and Rebecca, who were all born in South Africa, immigrated to Australia last year and have since been granted permanent residency.
In August, Ms Jonker’s younger sister Kel, 32, was diagnosed with aggressive brain cancer.
Ms Jonker and Rebecca were given a COVID-19 travel exemption to fly to South Africa to help care for Kel.
Ms Jonker, a casual relief teacher, said she used her savings, along with donations from family and friends, to pay for the trip.
“Leaving all we know and love behind in our new home country, to come back to South Africa was a tough decision, but one that I had to make,” she said.
She said doctors were treating Kel in the hopes of prolonging her life, as surgery has been deemed too risky.
“It has been absolutely wonderful and a huge blessing to spend time with Kel while she is going through this awful situation,” she said.
Ms Jonker said that Alamanda College, where Rebecca is a student, has helped with her online learning while they have been overseas but with Rebecca due to start grade one next year, she was keen to fly back to Australia soon.
The mother and daughter are also looking forward to reuniting with Daniel and their pet Labrador, Bee.
Ms Jonker said she has been able to book tickets for a flight back to Melbourne on December 29, although the flight’s route and times have changed twice.
She said that many flights out of the country were being cancelled and the price of tickets was high – from about $2500 per person.
Upon returning to Victoria, she and Rebecca will be required to quarantine in a state-mandated facility, costing $3000 per person for 14 days.
Ms Jonker has started an online GoFundMe campaign to help cover these costs. The campaign has so far raised more than $3600.
“I am not the kind of person who will go out and ask for support, especially financial and setting up the GoFundMe campaign was one of the hardest things I have had to do,” Ms Jonker said.
“I am thankful for everything I have been offered so far and for all the support I have received.”
To make a donation: au.gofundme.com/f/TeamKel
