Diana Malikebu, 22, is a stay-at-home mom from Nguluwe village, Rural Lilongwe. She has two beautiful boys, 5 and 2 years old, both differently-abled with cerebral palsy.
Her husband is a bicycle taxi operator in a nearby peri-urban community. His job afforded them meals and payment of hospital bills for their sons’ routine medical care. When COVID-19 hit, his income was significantly reduced because of the restrictions on movement and the shift to working from home, which meant fewer customers.
And even as the country recovers from the effects of the pandemic. The global ragging war in Ukraine affecting oil prices is adding further strain to their household budgets.
Special needs children in Africa face a considerable challenge. For some, that challenge means they may not live to see beyond their fifth birthday, not solely due to malnutrition but from parental neglect.
Across Africa, special needs children are perceived to be a result of a bad omen or witchcraft. With fewer parents and communities understanding the various types of special needs, these children are hidden, limiting access to health professionals who can afford the necessary early support.
This also means differently-abled children in Africa are less likely to acquire the occupational or speech therapy they need or even access quality education to ensure a strong foundation for learning. Parents with differently-abled children in Malawi only have access to 10 registered occupational therapists, two (2) speech therapists and two (2) clinical psychologists for 18 million people.
It’s more hard-hitting for families living in rural and peri-urban communities with limited access to education, quality healthcare and professionals to ensure their children receive the help they need.
For six years, Fount for Nations has worked to train teachers, educate communities and support families of differently-abled children like Diana’s to ensure no child in Malawi is left behind.
This holiday season, we want to celebrate these parents who have worked hard to support their differently-abled children with food gift baskets and support the Fount for Nations Family Support Program.
Your US$ 100 gift isn’t just a holiday gift. You are contributing to changing a community. Your support will go towards growing the Fount for Nations Family Support Program. The program offers early identification of special needs in children, family education, learning support and linkages to occupational and speech therapy.
Please join us in donating this Giving Tuesday by visiting www.fountfornation.org/donate.
Thank you for your support!
