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Every time she looks in the mirror she's reminded of the day she nearly died. It's been just more than two years but her scars look fresh and painful.
Elizabeth Trollip is just 14 years old and is trying to be brave as her family battles to get back on their feet. The teenager from Danville, Pretoria, is courageous, her father, Willem Trollip says.
A burning candle fell over in their kitchen on 4 May 2021, Willem recalls. "We suspect the cat knocked over the candle, which started the fire."
His youngest daughter, whom the family fondly call Lizzie, went to investigate, Willem says, swallowing hard. "Lizzie went to see what was going on and that's when a gas tank exploded."
The force of the explosion hurled her backwards and burned her face, hands and legs. Her brother, Franco (21), threw himself on his little sister to protect her from more flames. But by then the situation was dire.
A neighbour who'd heard the explosion called for help and helped to break burglar bars on one of the windows while the fire brigade was on its way.
READ MORE| Boksburg explosion: grief-stricken families recall the horror and heartache of a day of death
Lizzie was in hospital for four months, Willem says. It was a tough time for Willem and his kids, including daughter Chantel (20). Their entire house was destroyed and they had to move in with relatives.
Meanwhile, his marriage also ended after the horrific incident, bringing more heartache.
A year later, they had to move out of their relative's house but were able to return home after a donor gave them a Wendy House, which is in the yard of their damaged property.
Their former home is nothing but a few walls. Although they've received a donation of 16 000 bricks they can't afford to rebuild, Willem says. .
But even worse is the fact that Lizzie can't get what she needs. "There's no money or transport for Lizze to get more treatment."
Lizzie was supposed to get more skin grafts, Willem says, but that hasn't happened.
She's now burying herself in her schoolwork, he adds.
"She doesn't talk much but she works hard to get good grades. She says if people want to stare at her scars, then they must just stare."
"She goes to school every day. She's tough. She's a fighter."
Willem knows his daughter is suffering and hiding it behind a brave smile. "We treat her scars with Bio-Oil but sometimes it's just too expensive," he says.
