Phillimon lives in a rural village near Chipata, in the Eastern province of Zambia. Born with spina bifida he has never been able to walk, and has been fully dependant on his mother for any trip away from their home. Esther, his Mum, has carried him on her back since a baby, but at the age of 4 he was becoming much heavier, and was missing out on attending school.
Phillimon’s life was changed immeasurably when he received a wheelchair from Pamodzi Ndi Ana (Together with Children), HATW’s partner in Chipata, Zambia. The wheelchair has had a transformative effect on the life of the whole family. Phillimon is able to attend school – pushed by his sister and accompanied by a group of friends, he is thriving with his new-found independence. He is a very bright and clever boy and is greatly enjoying school – especially learning maths – and has a peace-keeping influence amoung his friends. His Dad says, “Phillimon doesn’t like fighting – always when he sees some friends fighting, he goes there to separate them.”
He now has a wide friendship group, supportive teachers, the freedom to attend and enjoy school, and an independence of his own. The benefits don’t stop there though. Without the need to constantly care for and carry Phillimon – and with his new mobility – Esther can now work in the fields, attend church, visit the market, and spend time with her friends when Phillimon is at school.
In our continued support of the family, HATW fund accommodation and transport to Lusaka – an 8 hour bus journey away from Chipata – so that Phillimon and his Mum can attend important medical check-ups, training and wheelchair fittings when needed. The chairs are cleverly designed to be robust enough to be able to withstand bumpy terrain, and are highly adjustable, so that the wheelchair can grow with Phillimon.
Phillimon’s story is both a stark example of the challenges faced by families with a disabled child, and a wonderful reminder of how much of a difference we can make when working together: through your generous giving and our link with organisations such as PNA, we are providing critical support to families and children with disabilities, and changing lives forever.