Helping Vulnerable Children in Zambia Thrive

Hands Around the World (HATW) works in partnership with Pamodzi Ndi Ana (PNA) in Zambia. PNA specifically supports children with disabilities in rural communities and aims to promote better living conditions for children, through tangible solutions that support their education, well-being and development.

PNA is committed to ensuring adequate medical care for children with disabilities is available. Unfortunately, many of these families cannot afford to pay for the necessary treatment or for transportation to hospitals or specialised clinics, as many of these hospitals are hundreds of kilometres away. PNA in collaboration with their partners, support these children by assisting with medical expenses and transportation, ensuring that every child has access to the care they need.

HATW, in collaboration with PNA, assisted Chisomo and his family with essential transportation and medical costs. Chisomo, pictured with his mother, only has one leg, and approached PNA for support. PNA were going to support Chisomo with the provision of a wheelchair to ensure he had the necessary assistive device to navigate his environment and to help with his mobility.

However, PNA decided that it was important for Chisomo to first be assessed by the children’s orthopaedic hospital in Lusaka, a 12-hour drive away before receiving a wheelchair. HATW provided the funds to cover the cost of transport and Chisomo and his mother travelled to Lusaka. Following the assessment, Chisomo was given a prosthetic leg and has since attended regular follow-up visits at the hospital. Chisomo can now walk, and his mother is delighted! Together with PNA, HATW has ensured Chisomo has received the care and support he deserved. His life has been transformed through the support that has been provided.

HATW and PNA is also supporting Rabson, a 25-year-old, with the provision of two new prosthetic legs as well as covering his medical expenses. Due to his age, Rabson was not eligible for support, however, HATW in collaboration with PNA agreed to pay for his medical costs to receive prosthetic legs. Rabson has undergone two months of regular physiotherapy exercises at the Chipata Central Hospital to strengthen his upper legs, to ensure his legs are strong enough for him to walk on his prosthetics.

Recently Rabson travelled to Lusaka with his uncle for a second assessment at the Orthopaedic Hospital and the doctors said his limbs are now strong enough for the prosthetics and they have taken necessary measurements. He will soon be provided with his prosthetic legs.

Rabson and his uncle are thrilled with the support, which will improve the quality of his life. Rabson would like to go back to school and continue with his studies – this support will make a huge difference to his future.

Thank you for supporting these projects in Zambia, your support is making a huge difference!