A little boy of 9, physically and mentally disabled, lives with his grandmother on the flank of a mountain in a very small house. Someone of the community called me and told that there is “a problem” with the disabled little boy.
During my first visit I soon noticed that the life circumstances are not the best for this little kid. Something had to change here but I was happy to see that the family is really concerned about the boy and wants to treat him well.
The boy looked well cared for and the grandmother told me that she scrapes her last pennies together to buy neat diapers for the boy. What I did notice was that the boy had a rash on head and skin but the grandmother told me not to have enough money for a taxi to drive them to the nearest hospital.
The question was if we could do something. The boy needs special care and attention. A boarding school for disabled children would be ideal for this boy. There he would get the attention he needs and all medical care.
A visitor of Incognito Khulani Simunye accompanied us on a day we went to visit the boy and her heart was immediately stolen. She saw the needs and also the piteous life circumstances of the family.
After the visit she told me she had been so touched because she herself has experience with a son who is lightly autistic. She said she would like to help to find a solution for this boy.
We immediately got into action and made a first appointment with a doctor to examine the boy. This examination – assessment - has to take place before we can address schools.
Each school for disabled children asks for an ‘assessment’. This determines partly how big the handicap is so that an adapted programme can be made up.
The search took a while. It was more difficult than expected to find the right place for an examination. But we found it.
We also received the good news that part of the costs for the school will be born by a Dutch Incognito-friend.
Again a child that can look forward to a better future.
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