10. CAIN: 9 YEARS
Cain is a 9 year old physically challenged Zimbabwe boy who lives with his maternal grandparents Alarm Bhobho and Agnes Bhobho in Mhondoro rural area. A well wisher referred Cain’s father, Tedious to Hope for Zimbabwe Children for assistance after the well wisher saw Cain and his grandparents struggling with looking after him. Hope for Zimbabwe Children arranged that a volunteer visit Cain and his grandparents for an assessment. In a distress whatsapp audio to Hope for Zimbabwe Children, the grandmother also appealed for help directly to us explaining how the grandparents are struggling with poverty and challenges in meeting especially Cain’s health needs.
Cain’s parents Tedious and Naume are based in South Africa having left Zimbabwe in search of greener pastures as they also struggled to fend for their children and parents. Speaking to Hope for Zimbabwe Children, Tedious said Cain was born in a family of 2 children, with him being the older child. The parents noticed Cain’s condition when he was less than a year old as he could not sit or even crawl as expected of any child of his age. When they consulted doctors in Zimbabwe, they were told that Cain’s spinal cord is too weak to support coordination of activities such as sitting, walking and crawling. Cain’s parents are struggling to make ends meet in South Africa and they are doing piece jobs and not earning enough money to afford sending money back home to their parents and children. Tedious continuously acknowledged that Cain’s mother and him are not financially stable and so cannot cater for Cain’s needs, including the family’s upkeep since they are not formally employed in South Africa. He added that Cain was staying in South Africa with them and the grandparents requested for Cain to be taken back to Zimbabwe to seek spiritual assistance for Cain’s condition. Cain’s father said the family partially attributes Cain’s physical condition to acts of witchcraft as stated by spiritual advisors from their church.
The struggling and poverty stricken grandparents also live with Cain’s brother, 3 year old Abel and they also take care of Cain’s cousins Loveness and Lovemore who help with caring for Cain in addition to assisting with other household chores. The cousins lift Cain up and support him with toileting, feeding and laundry among many other day to day tasks that they support Cain with. The grandparents said Cain who was born with the disability is not able to stand up unaided, walk or sit without assistance from his cousins. The grandmother said she can no longer support Cain as much as she used to, due to old age. Sarah, sister to Cain’s mother bought a wheelchair for Cain to support with mobility. The wheelchair is very useful to Cain. Cain’s grandparents said they are struggling to care for him as they don’t have money to meet his day to day needs such as food and clothing .His grandfather fetches reeds from the river and they weave home made mats which they sell in the community to eke out a living. They have no other way of generating and raising financial capital for the family. They said following covid19 their situation has got worse as their prospective buyers have lost their sources of income due to covid19 lock down. Unfortunately, the grandparents’ cash flow is very inconsistent and not dependable due to staggered small payments they receive from buyers which are not enough to even care for them. Cain’s grandparents reiterated that they are seeking assistance with food, clothing, and bedding and pampers and even finances for medical assistance as needed. The desperate grandmother said their situation is so dire and they have nowhere else to turn to for help.
In light of this desperate situation Hope for Zimbabwe Children highlighted to the father that Cain’s situation needs the attention and care of biological parents as well especially in this case where both the parents are alive and can eke out a living for the family. Hope for Zimbabwe Children suggested that if possible one of the parents should go back to Zimbabwe and assist the grandparents in taking care of Cain or they need to take Cain back to South Africa and take care of him since the grandparents are struggling to make ends meet. In South Africa chances of Cain receiving better medical care are also higher as compared to Zimbabwe. Hope for Zimbabwe Children also highlighted to the father that from the little they are getting from the informal jobs they might have to sacrifice and visit their children as Cain’s situation is not looking good. Hope for Zimbabwe Children also informed the father that the grandparents said they are looking forward to receiving assistance from Hope for Zimbabwe Children and grateful to God for sending Hope for Zimbabwe Children to their rescue but we strongly feels that the parents should also take up their responsibility and start fending for their children or go back to Zimbabwe to be with the family if being in South Africa is not benefiting them in any way. The father agreed with the advice and hinted that he will take it on board and update Hope for Zimbabwe Children on progress .Cain is one example of how children and grandparents are suffering in the absence of biological parents who left the country in search of greener pastures. Hope for Zimbabwe Children give hope to such children and families and assist them in whatever way we can.
Cain’s story is reflective of a broader issue faced by many families in similar circumstances. Weaving together immediate assistance and long-term solutions will be vital for ensuring a better quality of life for Cain and his family. Hope for Zimbabwe Children can continue to be a beacon of support for families in crisis, fostering hope and opportunity in the face of adversity. This is a poignant and challenging situation that highlights the struggles faced by families in Zimbabwe, particularly those affected by physical disabilities and economic hardships. The story of Cain and his family is a stark reminder of the importance of community support and the responsibility of parents in caring for their children. Cain’s condition requires not only medical attention but also emotional and familial care. The fact that his parents are working in South Africa but struggling to provide for him and his siblings, while his grandparents are overwhelmed with the responsibility of caring for multiple children on limited means, underscores a critical cycle of poverty and neglect.
- Immediate Aid: Assisting with food, clothing, bedding, and medical expenses is crucial. Hope for Zimbabwe Children can facilitate immediate relief to ensure the family’s basic needs are met.
- Medical Assistance: Exploring options for healthcare in both Zimbabwe and South Africa can provide Cain with the necessary medical attention and therapy he needs for his condition. This might include connecting with NGOs or healthcare providers that offer specialized care for children with disabilities.
- Parental Engagement: Encouraging Cain’s parents to return to Zimbabwe or share responsibilities with the grandparents can help address the family’s pressing needs. Open dialogue can help them understand the necessity of their presence and support for their child.
- Sustainable Support: Long-term strategies, such as vocational training or small business support, could empower the grandparents to generate consistent income. Collaborating with local organizations could help provide the necessary resources to improve their livelihood.
- Community Involvement: Raising awareness in the community about Cain’s situation might inspire local aid. Mobilizing community members to contribute could create a support network for the family.
- Therapeutic and Emotional Support: Addressing the emotional well-being of both Cain and his family is essential. Connecting them with counselling services can help navigate their difficulties and foster resilience.
- Advocacy for Inclusion: Promoting disability rights and inclusion within their community can lead to greater awareness and support for children like Cain. This can also encourage the government and NGOs to take a more active role in providing necessary resources.