“For almost a year-and-a-half I became sick and I was paralysed from the waist downwards. I completely lost sensation and could not attend school,” says Mary Magdalene, a 14-year-old student supported by The Foundation for African Empowerment (FAE).
Before this happened, Mary was a healthy student who was third position out of 117 students in her school in Arusha. Her life changed on 20 June 2018, when a doctor officially informed her that she 
was paralysed below the waist, so could not stand or feel any sensations below the waist. Despite several visits to different hospitals, the cause of the paralysis was unknown.
For Mary, who was enthusiastic and hardworking, the news that she could no longer go to school was both devastating and mystifying.
When our team from FAE visited Tuvaila Primary school to see how we could support children with special educational needs and disabilities access quality inclusive education, the school headteacher told the team about Mary Magdalene. The team decided to visit Mary Magdalene at home to assess her disability, living condition and studying as she prepared for the Standard Seven National Examinations at the end of 2019.
The team found that she was living with her 89-year-old grandmother at Usa River, as her poor father could only afford to support her three other siblings and her mother had left when she was two years old. Mary and her grandmother were living in a small two-bedroom house made of mud walls without enough windows for aeration and light. Mary told us that she would often go to sleep on cardboard and plastic bags without eating food.
Their main hope for food was begging from neighbours and passers-by. When the situation got particularly bad, Mary would ask her older brother to buy her food. Due to her brother’s love for his younger sister, he skipped school many times and took on jobs such as brick making so he could buy food for Mary and her grandmother. He also helped with cooking and washing her clothes.
Mary’s dream
Mary told us that despite her condition, her dream was to complete primary school and to train to become an accountant. Mary is full of dreams and hopes for a better future for herself and her family. However, her dream could not be realized without preparing well for Standard Seven National Examinations at the end of 2019.
How we helped Mary
After talking to Mary and other stakeholders, we concluded that the best help for Mary was to move her to another primary school which is disability inclusive and could offer a conducive environment for studying.
In collaboration with other partners, we provided a bed, a wheelchair and a desk for Mary. Despite missing three months of study, 
Matonyok Primary School, a boarding primary school in Arusha city were happy to accept her and ensure that she continued with studies as well as undergoing physiotherapy.
Making the impossible possible
Despite her mobility challenges and with a lot of hard work and determination, Mary’s dream to complete primary school was realized on 12 September 2019 when she successfully completed her primary school exams, the Standard Seven National Examinations.
Due to her impressive examinations results, the Meru District Council awarded her with a Congratulations Certificate and other presents as she performed well in the category of children with mobility challenges. Her road to secondary school was clear.
Her headteacher at Tuvaila Primary School shared her thanks to FAE at a celebration event for all the children who completed their exams. “Thank you FAE for sponsoring Mary, who is now on her way to join secondary school education.”
Mary said: “I got help from the Foundation for African Empowerment and managed to successfully complete primary school education. With the help from the FAE and other well-wishers, I have now 
fully recovered, I am no longer using a wheelchair. I have regained all my sensation, I jump and run, and I am in secondary school just like other students.”
While Mary’s father shared: “I have nothing to say on what you have done to my daughter, except to say that may God reward you on what you have done.”
Samwel Mfanga, the Executive Director for FAE said: “We are happy for Mary’s recovery, as well as her academic achievement. She has made the whole district proud for her outstanding performance. We thank all those who were involved and are continuing to be involved in supporting Mary’s education. Mary will be eternally grateful for your help!”
You can transform lives of underprivileged children by helping kids like Mary Magdalene reach their full potential and contribute to their family and community. No amount is too small or big. Every penny of your support will go into helping children like Mary Magdalene get the necessary materials like texts books, tuition fees, meals and any other needs directly related to education. A gift of USD 100 is enough to provide school supplies for a child with disability for the entire year. Give your gift today here.
Would you like to be involved? Learn more on what you can do here or contact us now to discuss how you can be involved in the FAE’s activities!
