In the framework of Monitoring CBR Programme activities supportive field supervision was organized and carried out on May 11th,2019 by NUDOR CBR programme team at the office of one implementing partner organizations (PO) called “Soeurs de Saint Vincent de Paul de Lendelede” in Musanze town. Mr Aimable Rukundo, the CBR Programme Coordinator and Daniel Habimana, the Capacity Building Officer were in visit of that PO with the general objective to identify strength and weaknesses of the PO and to establish the capacity building Plan with aim of implementing the CBR programme.
It is a recommendation that whenever a field visit is conducted, at least one child supported by the targeted PO should also be visited at home to see how his/her life is improving and the progress that is being done. To that end Miss Zawadi was chosen.
Living without any hope before getting in touch with Sisters, Zawadi is currently a pretty and optimistic young girl of 18 years old who is staying in Musanze District in the Northern province of Rwanda. “Before undergoing a series of orthopedic surgery, it was not possible for me to believe that I could stand up on my own feet like other people! Today, when I meet People who knew me before, they always ask whether It’s me or my sister” Zawadi told the visiting team.
It was around 10:00 AM when we entered Zawadi Family’s house with a warm welcome by a well-built man who, while introducing himself, said he is Mr Daniel, Zawadi’s adoptive father.
Daniel did his best to tell us about his daughter’s life who, since 2012, was integrated into his family, currently of eight people (Father, mother, 5 children and Zawadi). The girl is not his blood daughter; in fact she was brought by his wife as an orphan maidservant after the girls’ grandmother passed away. Zawadi’s grandmother had been taking care of her since the death of her both parents. Seeing the state of the girl’s disability the family integrated her as their own daughter.
“On her arrival we integrated her as our own daughter but she was with a serious disability of legs (knock knees) and at the age of going to school Zawadi refused to go there as neighbouring children were laughing at her” Daniel told us.
Zawadi’s Photo before medical treatments (November 19th, 2014)
The young girl who is mature enough to remember her disability journey was around to talk about the real story”. In the beginning I was without disability but later on my legs began to get with malformation in such a way that both my knees were hitting when I was walking. They took me to Ruhengeri Hospital to be transferred to CHUK and Rilima Center for Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation. I came back home without being treated due to the lack of money. However, the Doctor informed us that we can get support in Musanze, from “Soeurs de Saint Vincent de Paul de Lendelede” who is a NUDOR implementing partner.
The following days, we went to the premises of sisters in Musanze and I was added to the list of assisted children after which, some days later, I was sent to Rilima.
When I got back to Rilima hospital, the Doctor requested me to choose the leg to be operated first and I chose the right one. The leg was operated and the Plaster of Paris (POP) was put on my leg to last a period of three months. It was so painful that I couldn’t eat and I had disgusted life. The following step was to operate the other leg (Right one). My goodness! You cannot believe how physiotherapy was more painful than being operated. The only day I was pleased with was Sunday as there were no physiotherapy services. Today, I am very well, and I can easily walk. I am doing my studies and though I endured a terrible pain It was not in vain. I have now the full hope for the future. When the Doctor was seeing how I had recovered and got better he was openly screaming that he is very powerful (Ndakaze)””
In 2015, only one leg had been operated. (Photo taken on February 29th,2015)
As far as the girl’s vision is concerned she said “I would surely like to study medicine so as to help other children with disability but I know It requires a lot of studies which is not easy for me”. Zawadi is currently in Primary 4 (P4) and very strong in class. Her recent report indicates that she is ranked the 3rd with (82%). Apart from the thought about doing medicine, she has also got a plan of learning some practical profession such as sewing and dressmaking.
She finally expressed her gratitude to the congregation of Sisters (especially Sister Prisca Uwamahoro), NUDOR and Liliane Foundation for the support they provided her.”I am very grateful for the support you gave me” She said.
Zawadi, who is sometimes funny by making her listeners laugh while talking, when asked whether she has got a “Disability card”, she replied:” Are you sure that NCPD can believe that I have a disability to give me a “Disability Card”?
Surely when this young girl is walking you cannot know that she still has orthosis in her legs. She testified that they are sometimes painful and kneeling is always impossible for her. The next appointment by the hospital for removing orthosis from her legs is fixed during the next school holidays.
Through Murekatete’s testimony, it’s obvious that people with disabilities are not to be left behind in the development process. When they are given their rights, they can make the difference.
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