Protect 500 Kids with Disabilities in Malawi

One year has passed since we started the project “Let’s walk together” in Mangochi, Malawi.

As Malawi lacks prepared and skilled physiotherapist, availability of treatments and materials, there is no  Primary Health Care provision to support people suffering from disabilities. As a result, most of people that are affected by this condition end up being left on their own devices.

The project “Let’s walk together” in Mangochi  is trying  to intervene in such situation,  offering physiotherapy sessions to as many people as possible in the area of Mangochi.

Since its start, about 90 disable women and children have been assisted by our caring local physiotherapist, Gift.    

The project has made the difference in the life of many people but we would like to share with you the cases of PATUMA and CLIFF. 

PATUMA is a little girl who has  been spending all her life laying on a mat, being unable to come out of her little  hut. As you can see in the pictures,  now Patuma  can sit properly and be taken out and around her village thanks to the care she has been given and  to the wheel chair that has been donated to her.  She can try to interact with other children, enjoy the sunlight and fresh air.

Another example is Cliff (in the pictures). He has completed the sessions of his rehab period and can now walk with his own legs!

At times, food has been supplemented to some of those being assisted, as good nutrition plays an important role for a good health.

Another important news is that Marina  has been involving the village chiefs in the project, showing them the work that our physiotherapist Gift does,  the medical devices that are bought and how  they are used.

We are trying to encourage these local leaders to take an active role in the project, supervising  the  progress that the children and those assisted make and supporting the caregivers  in executing the exercises in their villages.

Unfortunately,  a bad news has reached us only few days ago. Two young children who suffered from strong disabilities passed away.  The only consolation for us is that we had the chance to give them wonderful care and love during the last months of their lives.

At last, a representative of Global Giving has visited the project in October.  They have celebrated the visitor and she has given  to ALEIMAR- additional suggestions to continuously improving our work.

As always, a warm-hearted thank you for your generous support. 

There are more and more disabled people who ask for help and come for consultations and rehabilitative exercises, to the physiotherapist Doctor Gift. Among them there are many children to whom, during the rehabilitation session, is given the meal and supplements to treat the malnutrition. Since It was paid more attention to the debilitation and malnutrition, many children have gained weight and have also improved motor activity. For some patients were purchased different aids as needed. Before the start of this project, most of these children had never been subjected to a medical examination and had never received any kind of assistance.
Despite some difficulties, due to a car accident, Marina has managed to carry disabled people for visits and physiotherapy. In the last two meetings were visited around 39 people including 12 children. To all of them were given the meal, for three children were prescribed a walker and a tubular pillow, for two others a wheelchair and for other two a standing frame.
Some children were referred to Mangochi to put the plaster and to receive a more accurate visit. In August, during a session, a child received a standing frame.
Marina says that there are more and more needy people every day, she found a lot of effort on the part of the group and volunteers, but also by the parents of these children.
Thanks to your generosity we can continue to help and give back dignity to many children and people in need. Thanks again!