Mimiki's Story

What price do we place on a human being's life? I found myself asking that question on 28 November 2005. I had just been introduced to a girl called Mimiki who was living in a small shanty town in South Africa.

Mimiki and her family lived in unimaginable poverty. Their home consisted of a tin shed where the whole family resided. The living room was also the bedroom, the kitchen and the toilet.

When I arrived at Mimiki’s house, the whole family were waiting to greet us. One of the most beautiful features of South Africa is the welcome that you receive in people's homes. No matter how lacking they are in material wealth their hospitality is always so warm and so genuine. You learn much from visiting people who are struggling to feed themselves.

As we walked through the door of their house they immediately welcomed us and made us feel like true guests. I knew instantly that the refreshments they were offering us would mean that they would go without at some stage during the week. Their welcome was truly humbling.

After the initial welcome, our interpreter introduced us to Mimiki. I cannot explain to you in words how confronted I felt at this time. Mimiki had a neurological disease that had taken over her body. The most prominent sign of this disease was the swelling of the cranial region. Mimiki’s head was the size of a very large watermelon. She was in agony and could not lift her head off the pillow. Any attempts to do so would break her neck. There would be no way that she would be able to control the weight of her head.

Mimiki could smile though and she loved having her hair stroked and her feet massaged. During my short stay with Mimiki she did not complain instead she presented a stoic pride that made me realize the triviality of my own grumbles. The most powerful emotion however was a very clear understanding that Mimiki was dying and the sheer helplessness of her family and her own fate.

The interpreter explained her story as one that was very similar to other families in the township of Kroonstaad. Mimiki’s condition could have been cured if she had access to the very basics of medicine. Her family was not able to afford the drugs to cure her condition.

In fact, the majority of families in South Africa's townships cannot afford medicine due the multinational pharmaceutical companies not being willing to allow generic brands of their medicines to be made. It cuts into their profit margins.

As I stared into Mimiki’s strained eyes I became very angry. Mimiki along with millions of young people in South Africa are dying needlessly. We should all be outraged.

I will never forget what someone told me in my stay in South Africa. "We are all people of the South (Southern Hemisphere). Please tell our story, do not forget us."

Mimiki passed away in 2007 but her story is not unusual. There are millions of young people living with her sense of hopelessness. Those of us who can help should do so.

Anthony Ryan, Mimiki Founder

Helping Homeless

City News (Brisbane), 23 September 2010

Queensland Great Anthony Ryan has struggled with the honour bestowed on him last year, but it hasn't stopped his vital work with the homeless.

View the full article from The Read with Christopher O'Leary, the centerfold feature from the September 23 issue of Brisbane's City News

Anthony Ryan wins Queensland Greats Awards

The Queensland Greats Awards recognise individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions to the history and development of Queensland.

About the awards

Since the awards began in 2001, 40 Queenslanders and three Queensland organisations have been named as Queensland Greats. Each winner has been honoured with a commemorative plaque showcased at Roma Street Parkland.

2009 award recipients

Premier Anna Bligh announced the 2009 Queensland Greats as part of Queensland Week celebrations. The awards acknowledged five extraordinary Queenslanders and an iconic organisation for their significant role in the history and development of the state.

The 2009 Queensland Greats are:

Mr Anthony Ryan The Founding Director of the Mimiki Foundation
Mr Philip Bacon AM Philip Bacon Gallery
Mr Bill Bristow AM Angel Flight Australia
Mr Kevin Carmody singer and songwriter
Dr Robyn Rodwell medical scientist and
Blue Care a missional arm of the Uniting Church in Queensland.

Anthony Ryan has contributed significantly to the Brisbane community by establishing the Eddies Street Van (alongside Brother Damien Price). He has also established the Paddies Van to assist Brisbane’s homeless, street kids and the elderly. Commencing with two days a week, the programs have grown to provide daily assistance to the community. In recent years, Anthony has developed the Mimiki Foundation in South Africa to assist underprivileged children. Anthony has networked and devoted his talent and time to empowering others to reach out to those in need.

For more information please visit http://www.premiers.qld.gov.au/awards-and-recognition/queensland-greats.aspx

Power of One

Brisbane News, 2008

Brisbane man Anthony Ryan was changed forever by a young African girl called Mimiki, who died simply because her father could not afford any medication. He talks about his drive to make the world a better place, both at home and abroad.

To view the full article, please visit Power of One Article

Chinchilla visit

Anthony Ryan shares his inspiring stories with Chinchilla and Tara residents as this years Woolworths Australia Day Ambassador - Brisbane’s high achieving community supporter.

To view the full article, please visit Chinchilla and Tara to host inspirational community figure as Ambassador