Friends of Kasungu – United Kingdom (UK) Chapter on Thursday presented a tricycle to 17-year-old Rehema Abudul, a Standard 3 learner at Chipoza Primary School in Traditional Authority Santhe in Kasungu District.
Abudul is one of the 10 learners with disabilities that the group has identified to give mobility support so that they realise their education goals.
Born in 2008 with cerebral palsy diplegia, a condition that paralyses some parts of the body due to brain deprivation of oxygen during birth, Abudul has been struggling to attend classes because of mobility problems as she cannot walk.
Presenting the tricycle, the group’s representative in Malawi, Martin Chirwa, said the girl’s potential to realise her education goals was threatened by mobility challenges to go to class.
“We identified the girl when we came to donate wheelchairs to Kasungu District Hospital some two weeks ago and we thought she would also need one but authorities advised that her condition demands that we support her with a tricycle.
“So, the group, led by Dr. Emmie Malewezi made efforts to source the tricycle we have presented today. So far, we have identified 10 other learners of similar condition across the district which we will support as soon as we mobilise resources,” Chirwa said.
Chief Education Officer for Kasungu, Dickens Mbewa hailed the support, saying it is a huge contribution towards achieving inclusive education.
“We have a number of learners in the district with such conditions which pose challenges for them to move from the classroom to the library or to the toilet or any other place of need.
“So, we express our gratitude to Friends of Kasungu, UK-Chapter for this gesture and our plea is that they should reach out to as many learners so that we achieve inclusivity in the district’s education sector,” Mbewa said.
Rehema’s mother, Lissy Macdonald, could not hide her excitement, stating that the future of her child future, which was in jeopardy, could now be salvaged.
She said the girl dropped out of school because it was not easy to carry her to and from school on daily basis and that she will now continue with her education.
“She wants to become a medical doctor. I’m grateful for the support and I have all the hope that she will realise her dreams,” Macdonald said.
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