Children with Special Needs

It is difficult enough to raise a child with special needs in today’s world. Imagine trying to do it with almost no resources, no assistance, and no information on how to make life for these children a little bit easier. Mtaya is no exception; there are children here who were born or fell into unfortunate circumstances in which the village has adapted to the best of their abilities to try to help these children. Here are a few stories in which your donations have directly affected that success of these children.

 

alecki

Alecki

Alecki is an orphan who lives with Loyce in Mtaya.  When he was a little over a year old, he contracted cerebral malaria.  He was given quinine, and when he recovered from the malaria, he could no longer speak, hear or walk.  He has since learned to walk, but his speech and hearing never returned.

Alecki is now eight years old and has begun attending a school called Magwero not too far Mtaya which specializes in teaching children with disabilities. Here, Alecki has learned to communicate effectively and has stop acting out as a result of his frustration with people not being able to understand him. He is also being taught life skills so that when he leaves the school, he will have a chance to make his own living and be independent. All this was made possible through donations from our sponsors.

 

 

 

Emmanuel

Emmanuel is another orphan of the village who tested positive for HIV. Despite spending much time out of school due to illness, it was evident that this young boy had a fighting spirit. Intelligent and strong, the only thing this young boy lacked was proper care to keep him healthy. His caregiver, his grandmother, was old and frail and could not give the support that young Emmanuel needed to thrive.

After seeing Emmanuel’s plight, donation funds were set aside to help provide him with proper care and a strict diet to keep him healthy. He now attends school regularly, but requires a great deal of attention in keeping his infection sustained.

 

 

 

Mary

Mary is 9 years old and born with a deformity in which one leg wasn’t able to grow properly, rendering it almost uselessBefore Children of Mtaya, she used to try to attend our school but it was almost impossible for her to get there without someone carrying her.  After much discussion, Mary and her caregiver were sent to Chipata General Hospital for an evaluation.  It was decided that a wooden crutch would be made for her and a proper shoe for her slender little foot.  After receiving this care, Mary now attends school regularly and unassisted.