Elizabeth House

We have been able to take our short term volunteers to Elizabeth House several times this spring and summer. Elizabeth House, located in Mukono, is about an hours drive from Rafiki. We first got connected here when we were looking for a home that would be a perfect fit for Mary. 
 

We love coming here to be with Mary and its a great opportunity to love on the other 30+ students that are at Elizabeth House. This is a place where children "rejected by society and often by their families, find love, care, encouragement, and a sense of identity and purpose. As these young people discover themselves and their potential, joy replaces misery and hope overcomes despair."  Their mission is "to bring hope to children with disabilities and their parents, and create a positive attitude towards them in the community." 

"These children have autism, Down's syndrome, cerebral palsy, malaria, induced palsy, learning and other disabilities. Some walk, some talk and others don't do either. When they first come to Elizabeth House many do not know how to keep themselves clean, dress themselves or go to the toilet because they haven't been taught these essential life skills. In African culture, having a child with a disability can be seen as a curse and is an embarrassment. Parents use children at an insurance plan, hoping that one day when they are too old to work their children will help them financially. However disabled children are often seen as useless and are resented. Many of them are left alone in a house by themselves all day long, stuck on a couch or mat, while their parents are at work; there is little awareness of the needs and potential of disabled children. They feel isolated, lack confidence and lose many feelings of self-worth.

Our children come to Elizabeth House and here they learn to live. Here they find love, acceptance and attention. They are treated as valued individuals and learn life skills. They are fed with nutritious food and receive physiotherapy. Here we see to enable them to live to their full potential."

The laughter, the learning, the dancing, the listening and the sharing that happens during our time with Mary and these precious kids leave a beautiful image in my head - one of peace and joy. Being with these hilarious and truly beautiful kids is an incredible image of His redemption of each of us. It consistently humbles and amazes me the patience, the quiet (or loud!) joy that exudes from them! From the moment we pull into the gate, there is big smiles that great us and often tears from us and them as we are saying our goodbyes - our time with them is full and beautiful! Lots of dancing and singing, as well as a few actors demonstrating our bible stories before we sit with them for lunch. In the afternoons we do rotations, 3 or 4 stations lasting 10-15 min that are designed to encourage physical and social development including identifying colors and shapes, fine motor skills, language, and simple fun through dancing or chasing bubbles.

 

 From my first visit at Elizabeth House, one sweet girl has been on my heart. Her name is Maurine. Her constant smile grows and her eyes light up when I walk into the room, a tight hand squeeze and a "welcome back" greet me each time. Her tenacity, her patience, her grace with me and with others, her sweet laughter and bright mind leave me amazed and so thankful for her! I treasure my moments with her and am so thankful that she has the staff and environment of Elizabeth House to be growing in! 

 

Mary is doing so well, we have noticed a lot of improvement in her physically while she has been at Elizabeth House. We are so thankful for those that have chosen to sponsor Mary, because of them we are able to make sure that she receives the care at Elizabeth House that she needs! Here are some fun pictures of her from this summer! 

 

Written By : 

Kailey Jensen

Volunteer Coordinator / Admin

For more information about Elizabeth House and the great work they are doing, visit them at http://www.elizabethhouseuganda.org/!

Meet Mary!

Meet Mary!

 Mary has cerebral palsy and epilepsy. In Uganda there is a stigma attached to children with disabilities. Many even think they are cursed or possessed by demons. Her father and mother abandoned Mary as soon as she started showing symptoms of having a disability. She was alone, hungry, filthy, and living almost 24 hours a day lying on the floor in the corner of a dark shack. Her maternal grandmother was caring for her the best way that she could. However, she had little resources and could no longer care for Mary. She asked for our assistance in taking Mary into the Rafiki Children’s Home and caring for her.

Because of her cerebral palsy, Mary has the mental capacity of a very young child. She cannot talk although she likes making noises and loves to laugh. She can walk around, go up and down stairs, and we have to catch her before she climbs on the table. She is a very active little girl….like a monkey.

She doesn’t have the fine motor skills to feed herself. But she has learned how to use a sippy cup and is gradually learning how to grab objects. She develops improved muscle strength and coordination with patience and practice.

Mary is currently being cared for at Elizabeth House. Elizabeth House is a home for children with special needs. After staying with us for a year at the Rafiki Home, we felt that Mary needed more attention and specialized therapy that we could not provide for her. She now is in a loving, Christian Children’s Home that just cares for children with various disabilities and special needs. We visit Mary many times throughout the year. Since going to Elizabeth House, she has improved in many areas. Her coordination and walking are getting better each day.

Mary is an easy-going, happy girl who enjoys just simple touch from others…..she loves hugs and being carried! She loves cupcakes, having her back rubbed, being held, and is very ticklish. Baths and cold drinking water is a couple of her least favorite things.

By : Sara Hamilton 

Director / Founder of Rafiki

 

 

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>><><>

For the next few weeks we will be posting stories of all the kids here at Rafiki Africa Ministries (RAM). We want to give these kids a voice. There are more struggling kids here in Uganda than anyone is able to count. Here are the stories of 13 kids who's lives were changed by God through the work of RAM. We want to make you a part of this work, there is so much love and joy overflowing out of the Rafiki Home and we want you to experience this through these stories. We hope you can get to know the kids through these updates and we pray that you will fall in love with them just as we have. 

Be a part of the changes God continues 

to make in the lives of these kids. 

Make a difference. 

Spread the word.

 Rafiki Africa Ministries