Aamir Pathan has not lost his dream of singing in front of an audience, despite his terminal kidney failure.

Only the moustache on the frail 18-year-old with the body of a child gives away his age.

Now the Reach for a Dream Foundation, an organisation that helps to fulfil the wishes of children with terminal illnesses, is making his wish come true, by setting up his own concert next Tuesday.

Aamir refuses to give up on life.

"I want to sing with Lincoln Park one day you know, or even better, Locnville, because they are my favourite bands in the world," he said.

"I also like 30 Seconds To Mars, but all I want to do is to just sing and that would make me so happy."

Aamir, who sports a trendy hairstyle similar to teenage Canadian pop star Justin Bieber's, lives with his mother Mumthuz, father Moin and elder brother Salman in a tiny house in Mayfair, Johannesburg.

Aamir fell ill six years ago, and his family moved with him from the Indian state of Gujarat to South Africa, where his doctors said that he would get good treatment.

The family could not afford the doctors in his country.

They left his elder sister in India to care for the family home, and have not been able to return to see her since. Said Mumthuz Pathan: "We wanted better treatment for him, and the doctors told us that he would get good doctors in South Africa."

They had no family or friends in South Africa, but they settled in Fordsburg. A doctor referred the family to the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital, where Aamir has since been receiving treatment.

Now Moin works as a driver for a local company, and Salman has found a job as a computer technician in a shop to make ends meet and contribute to Aamir's medical bills.

The family do not speak about the possibility of their youngest dying.

Mumthuz stays at home to care for Aamir, and puts him on dialysis treatment four times a day. He goes to the hospital once a month.

Today, Aamir is going to rehearse for his concert, which will feature a band called One Heritage. It will take place in a hall in Pamona, east of Johannesburg, on a stage with sound and lights.

They have invited children from schools and supermarket staff in the area.

"I'm so excited. I'm not nervous yet because I know I can do it," said Aamir, who will be singing from his wheelchair as he cannot stand for long.

"I am only going to choose the song tomorrow when I get to the rehearsals."