Mbalentle Zwele contracted meningitis at 9 months and lost her hearing as a result. She received a cochlear implant at 2 years and 3 months and has not looked back! She is 7 years old now, is successfully following a mainstream education, speaks isiXhosa and English with perfectly clear speech, and has done dancing and poetry recital examinations through the Eistedfodd. Over the years, Hear Us has helped with financial costs of the cochlear implant maintenance, repairs and services as these are not affordable for her mom, who is the sole bread-winner in the family. In October 2020, Mbali received remote microphone technology from an avid Hear US supporter, and this enables her to hear in noisy environments and follow her teacher’s voice in the class without fail.