Education Support Initiative: The Story of Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene who was facing a lot of challenges due to her disability, on 12th of September 2019, she successful completed primary school education with other 107 students at Tuvaila Primary School. She passed he standard seven national examinations with flying colors, received a district level award and she is now in secondary school. This achievement was not easy and required giving and determination. So, it is worthwhile to flashback on her life and how it was changed.
Mary Magdalene, 14 year-old girl was a standard seven student at Tuvaila Primary School in Arusha, Tanzania. Her dream to complete primary school was shuttled after she paralyzed due to yet unknown disease. Mary Magdalene is the only girl child in a family of four 
children. She lived with a single parent since 2007 when she was four years old. Her father is a poor peasant farmer living in a two tiny bedroom house which has necessitated Mary Magdalene to shift and live with her grandmother who was 89 years old.
Mary Magdalene was a normal student with good health just like other students and holding 3rd position out of 117 students. Her life changed on 20th June 2018, when a doctor officially informed her that she had paralyzed. She was not able to attend school. For any girl at any age, this news would be devastating but for Mary Magdalene – being so young, optimistic and having devoted her life to prayer – it is news that has truly left us all mystified. She paralyzed below the waist, a condition medically known as paraplegia. This affected her legs, hips and lower bodily functions such as bowel and bladder control. She therefore could not stand or have senses from the waist downwards. Efforts had been made to take her to several hospitals but the cause of her paralysis could not be diagnosed.
Life condition
When a team from the Foundation for African Empowerment (FAE) visited Tuvaila Primary School to foster partnership around helping children with special educational needs and disabilities get access to 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 prepares for standard seven examinations at the end of this year, 2019. The team found that she was in a very pathetic situation and unfavorable to both studying and health. She lived with her 89 years old grandmother at Usa River. They lived in a small two bedroom house made of mad walls and without sufficient windows for aeration and light. Mary Magdalene told us that many times they would sleep without eating food. Their main hope for food is begging from neighbors and good Samaritans who passed by. Besides, Mary Magdalene was sleeping on card boards mixed with plastic bags. Due to lack of sufficient diet, Mary Magdalene could go for over 5 days without attending the call to nature.
When situation became too tight, Mary Magdalene would ask her brother who is a form three student to buy her food. Due to her brother’s great love for her younger sister, he had many times skipped school and engaged in casual labor such as brick making in order to buy food for Mary Magdalene and the grandmother. Mary Magdalene told us that her brother had been trying to fill her mother’s gap by fulfilling the motherly responsibilities. These include cooking for her and washing her clothes to name a few.
Mary Magdalene’s Dream
Mary Magdalene told FAE Team that despite her disability condition, her dream is to complete primary school and train to become an accountant. Mary Magdalene is enthusiastic, 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 slated for end of 2019.
Intervention
After consulting with Mary Magdalene and other stakeholders, FAE came to a conclusion that the best help for Mary Magdalene is to move her to another primary school which is disability inclusive and can offer conducive environment for studying.
Mary Magdalene had already missed almost three months of schooling. In collaboration with other partners, FAE provided a bed, a wheelchair and a study desk to Mary Magdalene. Matonyok Primary School, a boarding primary school located in Arusha city accepted her and ensured that she continued with studies as well as undergo physiotherapy.
Nothing is impossible with determination. Finally Mary Magdalene’s dream to complete primary school education was realized on the 12th of September 2019 when she stood among 107 pupils at Tuvaila Primary School who successful completed Standard Seven National Examinations.
Mary Magdalene Receives District Award
Due to her impressive standard seven national examinations results, the Meru District Council awarded her with Congratulations Certificate and other presents as she performed so well in the category of children with mobility challenges. Her road to secondary school was getting clear. She is one of the children with disabilities that FAE has been supporting to access education.
Mary Magdalene in Secondary School
Despite having mobility challenges, Mary Magdalene never bowed down, studied hard and passed with flying colors her primary school examinations. She has now fully recovered and has joined secondary school education. As FAE, we are happy for her recovery as well as academic achievement. She made the whole district proud for her outstanding performance out of over 4000 pupils.
We thank all those who were involved and are continuing to be involved in supporting Mary Magdalene’s education. Know that Mary Magdalene will be eternally grateful for your help!
You can transform lives of underprivileged children by helping kids like Mary Magdalene reach their full potentials 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. Give your gift today.
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