Children with disabilities get assistive devices

St John of God has donated assistive devices to 15 children with disabilities in Mzimba District to enable them access early learning. 

Speaking in an interview on Saturday, St John of God project coordinator Byson Chidzalo said they donated devices such as standing frames, walking aids, cerebral palsy chairs and wheelchairs to enable children with disabilities go to community-based childcare centres (CBCCs).

He said they are implementing Inclusive Early Childhood Care and development Project in the district targeting children with disabilities; hence the donation.

Chidzalo said: “We decided to help children with disabilities with these assistive devices to access early learning as we don’t want to leave any child behind.

“The devices will help them to learn and play with their friends so that they should grow together with others.”

However, he condemned parents who leave children with disabilities home and travel to South Africa.

“Such parents leave children with disabilities with grandparents who cannot provide support to them,” said Chidzalo.             

One of the beneficiary parents, Fiskani Mseteka from John Mseteka Village in Traditional Authority Mzikubola thanked St John of God for the donation.

She said for the past five years, her child could not crawl or stand.

“The standing frame will help my child to practise standing. I believe that one day my child will walk,” she said.    

Mseteka said she was looking forward to the day her daughter will be able to access early learning in the community’s CBCC.                             

St John of God donated the assistive devices with funding from Save the Children.