Friends of Kasungu-United Kingdom (UK) Chapter have presented a tricycle to 17-year-old Rehema Abudul, a Standard Three learner at Chipoza Primary School in Traditional Authority Santhe in Kasungu District.
Rehema is one of the 10 learners with disabilities that the group has identified to receive mobility support.
Born in 2008 with cerebral palsy diplegia, a condition that paralyses some parts of the body due to deprivation of oxygen in the brain during birth, the girl has been struggling to attend classes because of mobility problems.
and others look on. | Wanangwa Tembo
In an interview, the group’s representative in Malawi Martin Chirwa said the girl’s potential to achieve her education goals was threatened by mobility challenges.
“We identified the girl when we donated wheelchairs to Kasungu District Hospital two weeks ago. We thought she would also need one but authorities advised that her condition demands that we support her with a tricycle.
“So, led by Dr. Emmie Malewezi, the group sourced the tricycle. We have identified 10 other learners of similar condition which we will support.”
Kasungu district chief education officer Dickens Mbewa commended the support, saying it is a huge contribution towards achieving inclusive education.
He said: “We have many learners with such conditions which prevent them from going to school.
“We thank the group for this gesture and we ask them to reach out to many learners to help us achieve inclusivity in education.”
Rehema’s mother Lissy Macdonald said her child’s future was now bright.
She said the girl dropped out of school because it was not easy to carry her to school.
The group invested over K8 million to procure wheelchairs, crutches and cushions which were donated to Kasungu District Hospital
