Devastated friends and family have paid tribute to a three-year-old Glasgow boy who died in a tragic accident while visiting his grandparents in Zimbabwe.
TJ Mathe, who lived in Knightswood with his parents, was found unresponsive drowned in rain water in an unused pool in his grandparent's garden on March 30.
He had travelled to the country in the south of Africa without his mum or dad in order to meet his grandparents for the first time. His mum and dad, Edwin and Medina Mathe, were unable to travel due to Visa constraints, so the Knightswood Early Years Centre pupil flew with his uncle, the Daily Record reports.
TJ's heartbroken parents' lives have now been turned upside down by the tragedy.
Edwin, who works at Gartnavel Hospital, said they are trying to get through each day, holding the memory of their son close.
Read more: Tributes paid to 'wonderful' dad who died in tragic crash on Motherwell road
He said: "Some days are better. Some are not so good. Our memories of our son are helping us through."
Medina's cousin Tichawona Dauramanzi said the couple are heartbroken.
He told the Record: "They are absolutely devastated. TJ was their life. He was so precious to them.
"Their whole world revolved around TJ and what's happened has absolutely shattered them. He was their only child and they loved him dearly. We all did.
"TJ's death has shocked and saddened all of us. It's a tragic, very sad situation.
"Because of issues with Edwin and Medina's Visas they weren't able to travel with TJ and now they haven't been able go over to be with their boy or to find out what exactly happened. All they know is what we have been told on the phone."
Tichawona said a post-mortem examination was carried out and TJ's cause of death was put down as an accidental drowning.
He added: "TJ was staying with Medina's parents when the accident happened. We are told he had been playing with local kids and because it had rained the night before there was some water in the unused pool.
"The kids were playing around in it and were going between each other's houses. When TJ hadn't been seen for a little while, family members started to look for him. This is when he was found in the pool. We are told he drowned."
Gemma Garbett, TJ's keyworker at Knightswood Early Years Centre set-up a fundraising page to help raise money to bring his body home to Scotland.
Posting on the GoFundme page, Gemma wrote: "I was a keyworker to TJ who sadly passed away whilst on a visit to Zimbabwe to meet his gran for the very first time.
"He was tragically taken away too soon.
"TJ, who was just three, has touched the lives of so many and he will live on in our thoughts.
"I hope we can help his family who now have the difficulty of working between two countries to get TJ home to rest.
"Such a lot for this family to deal with as well as the stress of trying to ensure their little boy gets home.
"Anything donated would be appreciated not just by me and everyone who knew TJ, but I know his family would be eternally grateful."
Thanks to the £3,700 raised, TJ's body is being flown home to Scotland today.
Tichawona said the family have been overwhelmed by the community's generosity.
He added: "The kind donations have allowed us to bring TJ home to his heartbroken mum and dad and for that we are eternally grateful. Everyone has shown Edwin and Merina so much love and the messages we have read about TJ have been lovely. Hearing what people have to say about him shows what a special, loving little boy he was."
A Glasgow City Council spokeswoman said: “Staff at the nursery have sent their heartfelt condolences to the family and started the funding page in response to their parents wanting to do something in support.”
To donate to the fundraiser for TJ and his family, visit the GoFundMe page here.
