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Sarudzai Musagwiza, a mother of a child with cerebral palsy, reflects on her journey of struggle and hope. Picture by Daphne Machiri

Mothers of children with acute disabilities find hope

Stimulation centers transform lives in Epworth and beyond

In a bustling corner of Epworth, Tendai Chaperevera’s journey to secure a brighter future for her children has been marked by emotional and physical struggles—struggles that were made even harder when she separated from her husband.

Unable to accept their children’s disabilities, her husband’s rejection pushed Tendai to make a difficult decision. She left Rusape, moving to Epworth with her two young children, both living with disabilities, in search of a better life.

“My husband couldn’t accept our children’s conditions. He refused to acknowledge them, and that’s why we ended up separating,” Tendai says.

Life in Epworth proved no easier. Tendai’s son, who has autism, and her daughter, who has hydrocephalus, faced numerous obstacles, from emotional challenges to the practicalities of simply registering for school. “When I moved here, we hit roadblocks, especially with their birth certificates. They couldn’t even enroll in school,” she recalls.

“When I moved here to Epworth, we hit roadblocks, especially with their birth certificates. They couldn’t even register for school,” Tendai recalls.

Her son, who is now 12, found school life especially tough. “He would cry every day, saying things were too difficult, and I felt so helpless,” she says. “It was heartbreaking.”

Her search for a solution eventually led her to a program supported by UNICEF in partnership with the Ministry of Public Service, Labour, and Social Development with funding from the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), which aims to empower caregivers to advocate for disability-specialized services. The program encompasses stimulation centres, in Epworth (Harare), Mutasa (Manicaland), Beitbridge (Matabeleland South), and Zvishavane (Midlands), for children with severe disabilities.

“I went to get birth certificates for my children, but I was told they had a record from Rusape. It was so frustrating, but thanks to this program, I was finally assisted to knock on the right doors,” she says with relief.

“Many people in our culture turn to traditional healers when faced with challenges like ours. I did that too, but it wasn’t until this program helped us that my children got the right care.”

Kudzai Garanewako, 31, a field officer for Epworth District under ZPHCA, said, the stimulation class is designed for children who are traditionally labeled as unfit for school. “It is different from special classes that focus on intellectual disabilities. The stimulation class acts as a one-stop shop, utilizing stimulation techniques to support these children.”

The establishment of stimulation centres for children with disabilities has significantly advanced the cause of inclusivity, offering educational opportunities to children once deemed unfit for schooling, says Regis Manjoro, Programs Manager at the Zimbabwe Parents of Handicapped Children Association (ZPHCA).

These centres, now also integrated into schools across several districts, are providing essential services that include rehabilitation, education, and access to economic opportunities for children with severe disabilities.

“We are working with UNICEF Zimbabwe in various regions through the Disability Inclusive Parenting Project. In partnership with the Ministry of Public Service, Labour, and Social Welfare, we aim to formalize services for children with disabilities, with a particular focus on ensuring access to early childhood education,” explains Manjoro.

Regis Manjoro, Programs Manager at the Zimbabwe Parents of Handicapped Children Association (ZPHCA), points out the transformative impact of the Disability Inclusive Parenting Project. Picture by Daphne Machiri

A key initiative in this effort is the creation of school-based childhood stimulation centres, added. “These centres are vital because children with disabilities depend on early childhood stimulation. Without this support, they are at risk of developing secondary disabilities,” Manjoro says.

Manjoro says over 800 children, in the last 12 months from the Epworth center, have benefitted from services such as birth registration, safety education, nutrition programs, and access to assistive devices.

Sarudzai Musagwiza, a beneficiary of the program, recalls the difficult beginning of her journey as a mother of a child with cerebral palsy. “I gave birth at home after a long labor, and when I went to the hospital, I was told my child had a disability. He didn’t cry at birth. I only got to know about when he was eight months old after seeing other children doing things my child couldn’t, I was informed about his condition.”

Reflecting on the struggles she faced, she shares, “I was advised to approach Zimbabwe Parents, who began helping us with life skills. When UNICEF joined, my child was 18, but there were no significant changes. However, with their help, his confidence and demeanor improved.”

Sarudzai also faced personal challenges, including a strained relationship with her husband. “I went through a breakdown, with prophets blaming my husband for the condition. Eventually, family intervention led to reconciliation, and we got back together.”

She advocates for other parents, saying, “Many are afraid to seek help and keep their children locked up in their homes. It sounds extreme, but with the stigma, that is what is currently happening here in Epworth. But learning from ZPHCA and UNICEF gave us the confidence to get birth certificates for our children. Previously, some of us were too scared to approach authorities because of the way others have been treated when they went with their children. Some see their actions as a disturbance and a distraction. Take a child with autism, for example—they need patience. But now, we demand our children’s rights.”

Like Tendai, Sarudzai also faced marital strain. “When I visited prophets I was advised that it was my husband’s fault that our child had been born with the condition. This led me to confront him and that led to a breakdown in our relationship. Thankfully, family intervention helped us reconcile, later.”

For parents hesitant to seek help, Sarudzai offers encouragement: “We used to fear approaching authorities for birth certificates, but now we demand our children’s rights.”

Child Care Worker Chioneso Mangandu sees hope in these changes. “I started working with children with disabilities because I saw how many parents were hiding them out of fear. Through this program, we’ve linked families to vital services, and schools are finally opening their doors to children with special needs.”

Thanks to these efforts, Tendai’s children now receive physiotherapy, life skills training, and supplementary food. “These services have been a godsend,” Tendai says with a smile. “My children are finally getting the support they need.”

Though her eldest daughter, 24, may never have attended school, Tendai remains optimistic. “I believe she can still live a fulfilled life with the right support. To other parents, I say: don’t give up, we must keep fighting for our children’s futures.”