Hope Restored: How One Community Leader Transformed a Child’s Life

Kupenda for the Children uses a variety of tools to equip community leaders to support families impacted by disabilities in their midst. One of these tools is the Child Case Management mobile application, which allows community leaders in low-income countries to identify and support children with disabilities and their families and to offer community-based counseling, care, and referrals. For community leaders with limited digital access, Kupenda also offers a paper-based counterpart. Either form of the tool can represent the transition from a child living a life of isolation to one where he or she can reach their God-given potential. This was the case for a community leader named Dorcas and a child named Joseph.

Making an Impact

In December 2024, Dorcas, a dedicated church leader, attended a Kupenda training for community leaders on both the mobile and paper-based versions of the Child Case Management system. There, Dorcas gained the skills she needed to return to her community and offer much-needed counseling to families impacted by disability.

One of the first children she identified was Joseph, a 9-year-old boy with cerebral palsy who struggled to sit independently or engage in daily activities. Using Kupenda’s app as a guide, Dorcas met with Joseph’s family to offer compassionate counseling and refer them to Mariakani Hospital for therapy services. Joseph’s mother shared,

“My child was born after a long labor of six days. After four months, I noticed that something was wrong with him, but I had no one to ask for advice. I have been living an isolated life with no support from anyone until Dorcas visited us. She counseled, encouraged, and referred us to Mariakani for therapy, as it would help the child.”

Thanks to consistent therapy and follow-up from Dorcas, Joseph has made remarkable progress. His mother stated,

“Some months down the line, I have started noticing great improvements in my child. My child could hardly sit, but now he can sit with little support. He is also very active, which was not the case before. Through the counseling, I was able to join a parent support group, where we meet several parents of children with disabilities. We have started an income-generating project. We meet every Monday to encourage one another and support each other.”

The changes in the family also extend beyond Joseph’s physical health. The mother’s mindset, emotional well-being, and hope for the future are also transforming. According to his mother,

“My perception and attitude towards my child have changed. The frequent counseling and visits from Dorcas have made me believe that someone cares for us.”

Fostering Growth

Joseph’s story is just one example of how Kupenda’s mobile and paper-based tools equip local leaders to identify children in need, provide counseling, and connect families to life-saving services. With your support, more community leaders can be trained, more families can be reached, and more children can thrive. Join us in expanding this impact, because every child deserves to be seen, supported, and celebrated!

Want to keep updated on Kupenda’s work?

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, and X.

Learn more about Kupenda in our podcast.

Sign up for our newsletter.

Or support a child in need for just $35 / month.