Shema and his mother at home
For the first few years of his life, Shema’s mother struggled to look after him. Shema, now seven years old, has severe learning difficulties and needs extra care and attention. But his mother had to work to provide for them and giving him the attention he needed was a difficult task. Earning an income wasn’t an easy feat either. Shema’s mother found what work she could but earned an average 68p a day.
This wasn’t enough to live on and Shema and his mother often went hungry. He became malnourished and without the proper support he needed, Shema couldn’t walk and could barely communicate.
Thankfully, your support means that Shema was able to get the right help at one of the Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres we support in Rwanda. Here he got the developmental help that was right for him, and started to learn to walk. For the first time he was happy as he could play with other children! Shema could also eat properly, with a healthy diet to combat malnutrition.
Shema playing outside his home
But, in March, the ECD centre was forced to temporarily close because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. This means that Shema has had to leave. His development was depending on the environment at the ECD centre and the diet he got there.
Back at home, Shema and his mother are struggling to eat. The lockdown measures make it even harder for his mother to earn money and there is little support available for them. A week ago, their neighbours were able to donate some flour and beans, but this won’t last long. Without the support of the ECD centre, Shema’s development is at risk and he is likely to become malnourished once again.
Children playing at one of the ECD centres, before they had to close.
COVID-19 means that the most vulnerable children are more at risk than ever before. Chance for Childhood needs your support now more than ever before to ensure that, in the future, we can support those children already left behind. Click here to make an online donation.
Thank you for your ongoing friendship and generosity during this unprecedented time, we truly appreciate it.
