6-Year-Old Boy Carries Brother with Disabilities to School Everyday
6-year-old carries brother with disabilities to school in Malawi, writes Cornelius Lupenga.
NSANJE, Malawi-A 6-year-old boy in Malawi is carrying his 9-year-old brother with disabilities to and from school every day after their parents were unable to find a wheelchair for their son, writes Cornelius Lupenga.
Mada Gift has been carrying his brother, Chisomo, since they both started school this year.
The boys live in Msiyankhuni village in the area of Traditional Authority Ndamera in Nsanje district.
Their father, Gift Chilankhwi, said he has been to Nsanje and Blantyre to seek assistance for his son but has not been able to find a wheelchair.
He said he earns his living by doing odd jobs, such as gardening and timber cutting, and cannot afford to buy a wheelchair.
The headteacher of Lulwe Resource Primary School, John Chiwambo, confirmed that the boys are both enrolled in Standard One. He said the boys are from a poor family and that their performance at school is average.
"The younger brother is responsible for carrying his elder brother all the time at school, even when he wants to go out to answer the call of nature," said Chiwambo.
He said whenever Mada falls sick, Chisomo cannot come to school.
Member of Parliament for Nsanje South Ramuzan Mohammed Juma said he was shocked to learn of the boys' situation.
He said he has sent a representative to the area to assess the situation and help the family find a wheelchair for their son.
"I have been furnished with the information, and I have already contacted the Malawi Council for the Handicapped (MACOHA) to secure a wheelchair for the child," said Juma.
He appealed to parents, guardians, and the authorities not to hide children with any form of disability.
"We need to embrace our children with disabilities and give them the support they need to reach their full potential," said Juma.