Less than a month after PE Express reported on an autistic boy who relies on the 200ml boxes of strawberry Steri Stumpie milk to stay alive, Shoprite Greenacres heeded the call to help the Hendricks family by securing stock from Durban that could last them for up to three months.
In March this year, PE Express wrote about Yahya Hendricks (11) who is severely autistic with global delays.
Due to his condition, he cannot speak but there is one thing that this little boy has managed to make absolutely clear: he only drinks strawberry Steri Stumpie, specifically the 200ml boxes.
Unfortunately for Yahya’s parents, Shakira and Zayd Hendricks, the 200ml boxes are difficult to find and they have mostly been relying on good Samaritans on social media, known as “Yahya’s Tribe,” who would inform them where in South Africa they can find the 200ml strawberry Steri Stumpie boxes.
Shakira mentioned that the longest they have been without stock is three days and that Yahya won’t drink anything when they can’t find these drinks.
He’ll try a few sips from other strawberry flavours but won’t finish them.
They have even tried decanting strawberry milk in the other sizes and different brands but he can tell the difference due to his heightened senses.
Yahya drinks three to four six-packs a day and the family spends between R4 000 and R6 000 a month on the milk drinks.
Shakira said that a friend recently called her to let her know that he had spoken to Leon Munnik at Shoprite in connection with stocking the 200ml Steri Stumpies at the Greenacres branch.
ICYMI | Join the Steri Stumpie search for autistic boy (11)
“Leon contacted me the same day to let me know that he was searching for them and that he would sort everything out for us. He kept in constant contact regarding the milkshakes and said that he would store them at Greenacres once he found them,” she explained.
“Shoprite secured 30 cases with four six-packs in each case. This means that we’ll have milkshakes for at least the next three months,” Shakira said.
“We were absolutely thrilled when he phoned to say that he had found 30 cases. In addition to the 30 cases, Yahya’s Tribe managed to find 25 six-packs which were either couriered to Nelson Mandela Bay by us or the courier was paid for by them. They’ve found stock in Cape Town, East London, Stellenbosch and Johannesburg.
“We’ve received donations from members as well, which we greatly appreciate.
“Many that know they’re travelling here will search for milkshakes to bring back or if they have friends and family travelling to Nelson Mandela Bay, they would arrange for the milkshakes to be brought here.”
Shakira said that she would like to thank Shoprite for its efforts and for all the trouble they went to in order to get the stock from Durban.
“May all parties involved be abundantly blessed. Leon kept us updated with regard to the milkshakes. He was very reassuring, and let us know that he was on it and we didn’t need to stress.”
