A Pastor’s Visit Opens the Door to Support

by Kupenda

When a child’s disability is misunderstood, families can face stigma and barriers to care. Four-year-old *Charo experienced both. His cerebral palsy and epilepsy caused frequent seizures, but he was not receiving medication or therapy. His father was not involved in his care, and some neighbors told Charo’s mother to kill him because of his disability. Charo and his mother needed support that affirmed his dignity and helped connect him with the care he needed.

Pastor Daniel Ngari, a pastor trained through Kupenda’s disability advocacy program, visited the family’s home. He spoke with them about Charo’s rights and referred him to a local for services. He also referred Charo’s mother to Kupenda for further counseling and support.

Kupenda helped Charo access epilepsy medication and therapy, and provided him with a pediatric wheelchair. Today, Charo’s seizures are rare since he started medication. His father has returned home and helps arrange transportation so Charo can attend therapy every Friday. Charo’s mother participated in a parent training and has become an advocate for her son and other children with disabilities. Pastor Daniel also continues to follow up with the family. 

Charo’s story reflects the heart of Kupenda’s approach: supporting children and families while helping communities challenge the beliefs that contribute to stigma. We train pastors, traditional healers, community health workers, parents, and other influential leaders to advocate for children with disabilities and mobilize others to do the same.

Since 1999, Kupenda has grown from improving the lives of 15 children to reaching more than 300,000 children last year. Organizations around the world are now translating our training materials and adopting our model, extending this work into their own communities. Together, we can help more children with disabilities be welcomed, supported, and valued.

*Names have been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals featured in this story.

Note: This photograph was generated using artificial intelligence to protect the identities of the family described in this article.


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