So many of our orphans have disabilities. The main one that we come across is Cerebral Palsy. We have 8 orphans with this condition and it really breaks my heart. If these children were in a western country they would be well cared for, they would be in schools that help them to learn and grow mentally, they would be in physio to help their muscles and joints to be more limber. They would have interaction with children who are in the same situation as they are and they would have a chance at having a life.
The children here have NONE of this.They get to lie on a mat on the floor, ignored by everyone. Not touched, not talked to, not loved.
When we go to visit these children I really struggle to fight back the tears. I get down with them and hold their hand. I talk to them in my broken Zulu and I pray for them.
How do they respond? They laugh and smile and try to talk back to me. It really doesn’t take much to make them feel special, but sadly the families of these orphans just don’t get it and this breaks my heart.
We need people to come and volunteer, to come and spend time with these families and teach them how to make the child’s life better. We need physiotherapists to come and teach the Grandmothers and aunts how to touch and manipulate the children’s arms and legs.
CAN YOU HELP?????