12-year-old Kiwi-Indian schoolboy passes away after sudden illness

Jason Brendon Madanu, a student at Mt Roskill Intermediate, died on September 7, just weeks before his 13th birthday, The New Zealand Herald has reported.

The father of a 12-year-old Auckland schoolboy says he has lost his “strength” and “best friend”.

A Givealittle page has been established by the Telangana Association of New Zealand to help the family with funeral, burial and memorial costs.

A pathologist’s provisional opinion was that Jason suffered bleeding inside the skull as a complication of immune thrombocytopenia and infection. The condition causes the immune system to destroy platelets needed for blood to clot.

Jason’s death has been referred to the coroner.

He is survived by his parents, Arogya Joseph Madanu and Bhagya Rani Madanu, two younger sisters and a younger brother.

His father told the Herald the family’s life had changed forever.

“I see him everywhere,” Arogya told Herald.

“I miss his hugs. He kissed me every night even though I’d tell him, ‘Jason, you’re a big boy, you don’t have to do that’, but he’d still kiss each of us. We miss that," Herald quoted.

Jason was remembered by his family and school as a caring and creative boy who loved music, worship and spending time with those closest to him. He dreamed of becoming a pastor.

Born in Hyderabad, India, on October 23, 2013, Jason spent part of his early childhood there with his grandmother while his parents moved to New Zealand to prepare for the family’s future.

Arogya remembered the emotional reunion when Jason later joined his parents in New Zealand.

“He looked into my eyes for two or three minutes. He missed me so much for two years. He didn’t stop calling me, ‘Daddy, Daddy’.”

Jason was also a protective older brother. Arogya recalled the first time his son met his baby sister after she was brought home from Waitākere Hospital in 2022.

“He ran to the baby. He was so excited ... his eyes were shining like stars," Herald quoted.

The family enjoyed trips together, with Rotorua among Jason’s favourite holiday destinations. He also enjoyed walks at Point Chevalier beach and late-night stops for Ben & Jerry’s ice cream on Ponsonby Rd.

At school, Jason was looking forward to performing in Mt Roskill Intermediate’s production of Moana Jr.

“He loved to sing. He’d come home and we’d hear him practising in the bathroom or see him doing some Moana actions.”

The school remembered Jason as a “special taonga” and dedicated last week’s production to him.

Principal Kristen Walsham told the Herald that Jason would spend his break times around the hall during rehearsals, watching as the staging and set came together, particularly the waka.

She said he would also make sure only cast members entered the hall.

“He loved music and would dance and move around to it. Our performing arts teacher and production director were building parts for him to be involved in the show," Herald quoted. 

Jason had earned several achievement badges at school, including a Principal’s Award, which he wore proudly and “loved to show people”.

“He liked getting involved in activities around the school, including AIMS bake sales and dressing up for House Colours Day in ‘Rātā red’.”

Walsham said Jason “touched many lives and will never be forgotten”.

Outside school, music and worship were a significant part of Jason’s life.

Arogya said that on Sundays, Jason would dress in a blazer and set up a projector, keyboard and Bible in his room before singing and praying while his younger sisters clapped along.

“He loved to worship, he loved Jesus, he loved to pray.”

His favourite worship song was the Telugu Christian song Yese Naa Parihaari (“Jesus Is My Protector”), which is about finding comfort and protection in Jesus through hardship.

In the weeks before his death, Jason became unwell. Arogya said his son fainted at home and felt dizzy at school before developing painful mouth sores and bleeding and being admitted to hospital.

That evening, Arogya said Jason repeatedly asked to go home.

“He was so scared,” Arogya said. “He was telling me, ‘Daddy, take me home. I don’t want to stay in the hospital. Let’s go home, Daddy. Let’s go home.’”

Jason had barely eaten for almost a week because of the sores in his mouth and was very hungry.

Arogya said he felt helpless.

“I told my son, ‘Jason, we wait some time to get treated... [Once] the bleeding stops from the nose and mouth we can go home and then you can have a proper meal.’”

Early the following morning, Jason woke his father and said he felt sick.

“After he threw up, I was so worried I was crying,” Arogya said. “Then my son looked at me and smiled. He took my hand and put it under his chin. He wanted to hug me," Herald quoted.

A few hours later, Jason complained that he was too hot and was experiencing severe pain in his head.

“Daddy, Daddy, help me. My head hurts,” Arogya recalled him saying.

“Those were the last words he spoke to me.

“And then he moved from his bed and he came to my bed, and then he lay down on my bed and he never opened his eyes again.”

Since Jason’s death, Arogya said the support from the family’s church, school and wider community had meant “more than we can express”.

Jason’s faith has also become a source of comfort for his family.

“My daughter asks me every day when we can see Jason, so we tell her, ‘One day, when we go to Jesus, we will see him and celebrate, so wait for our turn.’

“That’s our hope," Herald quoted.