9. DOREEN: 9 YEARS

Doreen, a 9-year-old Zimbabwean girl diagnosed with cerebral palsy, faces significant challenges due to her condition, which includes impaired movement, exaggerated reflexes, and involuntary movements. She lives in the rural village of Gutu, Chibumhe, with her parents Levi (47) and Antonia (32).

Doreen’s birth was marked by severe labour complications. She spent nearly two weeks on oxygen and was diagnosed with brain damage and cerebral palsy, which has left her unable to speak or grow at a normal rate. The parents are struggling to fend for the other children, Lloyd (16 years), Dorica (11 years), Livy (6 years) and Dorcas (3 years). The family is poverty stricken, struggles and relies on Lloyd’s small income from odd jobs and fishing but what he gets is not enough to cater for Doreen’s health needs. Despite their efforts, they cannot afford the costs of Doreen’s health care or specialized treatment, and there are no adequate facilities in Zimbabwe to support children with cerebral palsy. As a result, Doreen remains at home, not attending school due to her disability and the lack of appropriate education facilities.

One of the most pressing needs for Doreen was a wheelchair, as her parents had to carry her around, limiting their ability to attend church and other activities. In 2019, Hopefor ZimbabweChildren stepped in to provide a wheelchair for Doreen through the Rotary Foundation, allowing her some mobility and easing the burden on her family. Hope for Zimbabwe Children sourced a wheelchair for Doreen, through Andrea courtesy of the Rotary foundation. Hope for Zimbabwe Children, collected the wheelchair at Andrea’s place in Harare, and on 02/12/2019 travelled all the way to Doreen’s homestead in Gutu to deliver the wheelchair. The mother was very happy that her wishes for a wheelchair for Doreen were granted as she could not go to church because Doreen was too heavy to carry on her back for long distances. Despite this, they continue to face hardships, lacking basic necessities such as food, clothing, and medical supplies like pampers.

The parents used to take Doreen to Driefortein hospital and Harare hospital for support with her health needs but due to limited financial resources they cannot afford the travelling costs. More so, the other huge problem being there is no specialized medical help in Zimbabwe hospitals or any children’s hospitals to talk about , thus children suffer in their homes only to look up to Hope for Zimbabwe Children for hope to survive. The parents leave Doreen on the floor or carry her around which is very demanding for them. The mother said she cannot go to church as often as she wants to because carrying Doreen is a huge challenge for her, thus she needs a wheelchair to support Doreen with mobility. Due to the physical handicap Doreen is not attending school as there is no school in the vicinity or elsewhere in Zimbabwe to meet her specialised needs. The family is still struggling to make ends meet and pampers for Doreen, clothing and food for are on the list of what the family is in need of and kindly asking for more help. With the social and political situation in Zimbabwe so critical, children are faced with a lot of suffering and from up destitute with no hope for leading normal lives in future. As Hope for Zimbabwe Children we have maintained our humanitarian principles and programs to do the best we can for suffering children like Doreen and other most vulnerable Zimbabwe adults.

Doreen’s story is a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by many families in Zimbabwe, particularly those caring for children with disabilities. With the diagnosis of cerebral palsy and its associated complications, Doreen’s health needs are significant, which adds immense pressure on her already struggling family.Her parents, Levi and Antonia, are doing their best to provide for Doreen and her siblings, but the financial burden is overwhelming. Limited accessibility to specialized medical care, combined with the high costs of travel, severely limits their ability to seek the necessary support for Doreen. The situation is exacerbated by the socio-economic hardships that many families in rural Zimbabwe face, making it even more difficult to meet basic needs such as food, clothing, and medical supplies. The recent provision of a wheelchair by Hope for Zimbabwe Children and the Rotary Foundation is a vital step towards improving Doreen’s quality of life. With this wheelchair, her mobility is enhanced, allowing her mother to transport her more easily and participate more fully in community activities, including attending church. This small change has a profound impact on their daily lives, providing some degree of independence and relief for her family. However, the family still faces severe challenges. The ongoing need for food, clothing, and diapers (pampers) for Doreen is critical, as these are not luxuries but necessities for her health and well-being. The lack of educational opportunities for Doreen means she is missing out on vital social interactions and developmental support available in a school environment tailored to her needs.

Doreen’s case highlights the dire situation for children with disabilities in Zimbabwe, where inadequate healthcare, economic challenges and a lack of government support leave families like hers with few options. Hope for Zimbabwe Children continues to advocate for and support Doreen’s family, providing essential assistance where possible. Organizations like Hope for Zimbabwe Children play a crucial role in bringing attention to such cases and rallying support. By advocating for the needs of children like Doreen, they can help foster a network of resources and community engagement to improve the lives of vulnerable families. It is important for the wider community and potential donors to understand the gravity of these situations. Support in the form of from humanitarian organizations, donations, or even simply spreading awareness can make a substantial difference. The resilience shown by Doreen’s family, despite their hardships, is commendable, and they deserve greater support to ensure that Doreen and her siblings have a chance at a better quality of life. If you would like to help Doreen and her family, consider donating to Hope for Zimbabwe Children to provide assistance to vulnerable children or advocating for policy changes that ensure better access to healthcare and educational opportunities for children with disabilities in Zimbabwe. Every bit of help can contribute to a brighter future for children in similar circumstances.