As a toddler, Daudi was found at the Moshi bus station tied to a pole, and no one around gave any information about who had put him there. He spent two nights in jail, and then was brought to Amani by the police. Such a little boy having nowhere else to go, Amani caregivers accepted him, having no idea what they were getting into. By his size, Daudi was estimated to be about 2 years old. Rovina, our nurse at Amani, says that the amount of time that passed before he started losing teeth was too short for him to have only been 2 years old, so he was likely 3 or 4 at the time. Similar to many children who we receive at Amani, malnutrition causes delayed development; most of our kids staying at Amani are between the ages of 12 and 15, but many people look at them and think that they are between 7 and 12 years old. Daudi is now estimated to be 13 years old right now, and he presents with characteristics of Autism.
Rights and education for people with disabilities are still developing in Tanzania. Historically, children with disabilities were killed or left to die. These days, it is not uncommon for them to be locked in a room or a shed. In this day and age this is horrifying to westerners, but in the light of Tanzania only gaining independence 60 years ago, we must consider them advanced. Only 60 years ago in the more than 200 year old United States, the cause of Autism was thought to be “refrigerator mothers”; only 35 years ago were people with disabilities given the right to be educated. The Tanzanian Constitution prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities, but there are few laws regarding rights and access for people with disabilities. The government has begun to budget for special education programs in government schools, but the programs are few and poorly funded. Non-government organizations (NGOs) are working to build awareness, acceptance, and support for people with disabilities in Tanzania, even going out to villages to provide services and educate their families and local communities. There was and continues to be much stigma regarding disabilities, such as being a punishment or curse on the family or the result of the child being sold to the devil in order for the family to attain wealth. People also fear disabilities, because they don’t understand them and they don’t know what to do. A child who doesn’t communicate, follow directions, or contribute to the family’s daily chores and livelihood is an unwelcome burden. Many Tanzanian families must walk far to collect water and firewood daily, work a farm, and/or herd animals, in addition to cooking and cleaning.
Daudi’s mother or whoever left him at the bus station that day did the best she could for him. She allowed him to live and put him in a place where he would be found. She may have been ashamed or scared because he wasn’t developing as expected, but she did not harm him, nor did she leave him in a place where no one would find him. She chose life for her son. I am thankful for her choice every day that I get to spend with Daudi, and we hope that we somehow manage to find her someday.
Daudi’s story is not just of being allowed to live, but also of being allowed to have his dignity and independence and participation in a community. We at Amani are committed to Daudi in the same way that we are committed to the other children we take in every week. We take care of him, teach him, and plan for his future. Daudi has a safe place to sleep and three nutritious meals every day; he goes to school, continues to work toward independence with showering and washing his clothes, and participates in clean-up routines. He also spends time playing with the other kids, doing things he likes to do, and interacting with our dedicated staff.
Daudi is in the middle, playing with friends.
This blog is his story. Thank you for your interest.
