Moving like a king

Gael was born with his legs, but then malaria struck.

His parents, unable to afford to go to the health centre, took him to see a healer. The healer cut Gael’s legs as part of the treatment, and those cuts swelled and became infected. He was 5 years old.

“Gael’s two legs could not move and blood circulation stopped [when we brought him to] the Sendwe hospital,” says Tambwe, Gael’s 38-year-old father. Doctors decided to amputate his legs.

For 10 years, Gael had to get around by walking on his knees. 

“Limping in the mud after rains here is always tough for me going to school in the morning,” says 15-year-old Gael, who is in fifth grade. “My hands and clothes become dirty when I moved to school.”

Other students refused to sit next to him in class during that time, Gael says, as they were worried he would make them dirty. 

With five children to provide for, Tambwe’s income as a professional builder and the money brought in by his wife, Jeanne, selling vegetables in the market, didn’t allow for the purchase of a wheelchair for Gael. 

Things changed when World Vision identified Gael as a vulnerable child living with a disability. He received a wheelchair through its gift-in-kind program.

For two decades, World Vision’s offices in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have received gift-in-kind donations such as medical equipment, shoes, and clothes.

One of the most recent deliveries was 500 wheelchairs used to reach out to children with disabilities like Gael.

“May I get in? Does this belong to me forever?” Gael asked when he received the wheelchair.

After learning how to use it, Gael says, “Na furahi nayo sana. [I’m deeply happy] to have this ‘bicycle.’ Thank you to [those] who have sent it to me. I understand how to use it.”

Tambwe says, “My despondence has disappeared today. To see my son getting a wheelchair that I can’t afford to buy, I’m happy. Thanks again, this was my big worry, we will keep it well.”

As a result of this generous donation from World Vision’s supporters, Gael no longer walks to school on his hands and knees.

Instead, as a friend’s mother says, he rides on a moving chair, like a king.

By Alain Mwaku