Paying for uniforms, books and school fees can mean that families cannot afford to send their children even to community school. Without an education the future for many children can mean they are forced into a life of child labour, low-income employment and drug abuse. Many of these children have a strong desire to learn and better themselves but simply do not have the means to do so.
Meet Martin, he is 9 yrs old and lives in Ngwenya compound in Livingstone with his mom, two sisters and brother. Martin’s mother struggles to support her family as she does not work, and the father does not send enough money to cover their expenses. To make matters more difficult, Martin’s condition has forced his Mum to stay at home and care for his constant needs around the clock.
Martin suffers from Spine Bifida and THAF and African Impact have been visiting him for several years on the healthcare project – Home Based Care. With his smiling face and happy demeanor Martin has always been a favourite patient with our volunteers. Schooling was thought to be out of the question for Martin as a government or community school would not meet his needs and specialist schools fees were completely beyond his family’s means.
Our Sponsor a Child programme (SAC) has allowed Martin to now go to school, thanks to one of our previous healthcare volunteers Rachel. Rachel regularly visited Martin whilst volunteering and is now sponsoring him to go to Cheshire Homes School. THE SAC programme has also enabled his mother to rest and do other chores while Martin is at school. She says, “Thank you so much for your generous help. I would not have managed by myself without this kind of help.”
The school is one of a very few that caters for children with physical and mental disabilities in Livingstone and Martin is about to complete his first term!
Our SAC program gives children, who are unable to afford school, an opportunity to get an education. Giving these often orphaned or vulnerable children a chance for a future they never would have had.
Thanks to Rachael’s generosity and support Martin now has a bright future.