Vera Kadwale’s eyes lit up with joy as she was wheeled outside for the first time in years, a moment that filled her mother, Mercy Lobeni, with immense pride and happiness as she watched her daughter experience the world beyond their home.

Vera’s journey is a poignant story of perseverance and hope. For 12 years, she was confined to her bedroom, unable to walk or sit due to a severe disability. Hailing from Ngomano village in Balaka District, Vera was deprived of fundamental rights, including access to education and social participation, due to her condition.

Her mother, the sole provider for the family, devoted herself entirely to Vera’s care, forsaking her own income-generating activities to meet her daughter’s needs. Lobeni, 38, shared that her husband left her a few years ago because of Vera’s condition, leaving her solely responsible for Vera’s care.

“Life is challenging, and it’s nearly impossible for me to work because I need to be constantly with her,” Lobeni said.

However, a significant change is on the horizon thanks to a generous donation from a UK-based individual through the Balaka Civil Society Organizations Network. This donation is set to transform their lives dramatically.

Expressing her deep gratitude, Lobeni noted that the wheelchair donation will ease many of their challenges. With this new support, Vera will now be able to attend Liwawadzi Primary School, marking a major step towards new experiences and opportunities.

Hassan AbdulMalick, Executive Director of the Mama Amina Foundation and Chairperson of the Education Thematic Group within the Balaka Civil Society Organizations Network, presented the donation, emphasizing its positive impact on Vera’s life.

The challenges faced by Vera were first highlighted in an article by Malawi24 on May 28, 2023