'I am overjoyed' - how people with disabilities in DRC are transforming their lives

Aldegonde Kasoki Simisi sits in a health care clinic in the Democratic Republic of Congo, cradling her two-year-old son, Japhet Kambale Kamathe. She proudly tells how he is now able to walk, has more energy to play with his twin brother and is generally more active since he started receiving treatment. 

A decades-long conflict in DRC has forced more than 7.2 million to flee their homes. It is also home to one of the worst hunger crises in the world.  

Mother-of-five Aldegonde (42) told us that her family’s lives were turned upside down by the conflict, and that after they had to leave their home even healthcare became prohibitively expensive. 

Japhet has been receiving life-changing support from Congo Handicap and Première Urgence International, who are two of Concern’s humanitarian partners alongside ACTED and The Danish Refugee Council in the Enabling Affected Communities to Survive and Thrive (EAST) project, which is funded by the UK government. 

Japhet has been cared for at the Centre for People with Disabilities ‘Heshima Letu’ in Beni to rectify a mobility problem he has had since birth. His leg was cast in plaster on several occasions. He has since received shoes to correct his stance and is now able to walk. 

Aldegonde explained: “When two of my children fell sick, I took them to the hospital. When the staff asked me about their general health, I mentioned my son’s disability.  

“That's when the nurses told me that the treatment at the health centre was being provided by Première Urgence Internationale (PUI) free of charge and that PUI was working with another organisation - Congo Handicap, to take care of people living with disabilities. 

“When I got in touch with Congo Handicap staff, right then I felt like I had the solution to my problem. Later, Congo Handicap referred me to this health centre. When I reached here, I was welcomed and taken care of. Japhet started receiving treatment. His leg was put in plaster, and then, two weeks later, the plaster was changed. Afterwards, Japhet received shoes that are helping to correct his malformation.  

“Now, when he wears the shoes, his knees are not clashing anymore. When he first got the plaster casts and new shoes, he was frustrated because he wasn’t used to wearing them and he had to rest while his twin brother was very active. But he's now able to move and join others as they are playing. I have seen improvement in his energy and mobility." 

Like all parents, Aldegonde wants her children to thrive. 

“My dream for my child in five years’ time is that I would like to see him walking without any problems,” she said. 

Mother-of-nine Claire Masika Muisa (48) is bringing up her children alone after her husband died. Two of her children have mobility issues. Her daughter Ebenezer (2) has just had both her legs cast in plaster to rectify a difficulty she has with walking. Claire’s son Jonathan, who is 13, is awaiting a hospital appointment to have his club foot realigned. The family has also received support from Congo Handicap. 

“When Ebenezer was two years old, I noticed that when she started walking her legs were touching each other, and sometimes she would fall. I went to a hospital, and they quoted me $220 for her to be able to receive treatment. After that, I went to a health centre where I was informed about Congo Handicap providing people with the same condition as my child with healthcare.  

“It has been two weeks since I went to the health centre. Today, her legs have been cast in plaster. They said that after the plaster casts, she will receive massages and then be provided with shoes.  

She continued to say: “My son Jonathan was born with a club foot. We tried to massage it when he was still a baby, hoping that his foot would grow normally, but as he continued growing, it stayed that way.  

“We have requested support from Congo Handicap and have been given a document saying that he will be admitted to the general hospital to have surgery on his foot. At times Jonathan’s foot is so painful he just stays in the house, not moving. This has affected his life since he was born.” 
For Jonathan, he is excited that the surgery could mean more time doing what he enjoys. 

He said: “I always like playing with other children, like playing soccer. I try to play football with others even with my condition.” 

Francine Kavira Vake (48) is visiting the health care centre with granddaughter, Christivie, who has difficulties sitting independently, walking and talking. She is Christivie’s main caregiver and spoke about how difficult it has been to get the support she needs. 

She said: “When Christivie was brought to me, she weighed four kilos. At our local health centre, Première Urgence provided food and referred me to the general hospital. There, my child and I ate every day and she now weighs nine kilos. I'm just grateful.  

“My grandchild cannot sit, speak or walk. When she was attending the health centre for treatment for malnutrition, I was introduced to Congo Handicap staff who were on a visit to the centre. They gave me papers for the child to receive treatment for her disabilities.  

“I go there three times a week for treatment for my child. She has received shoes to wear and is receiving massages.” 

Francine is candid about how difficult the situation has been but she is hopeful that Christivie will continue to flourish with the treatment. 

“Before, I was very unhappy. I had sorrows, and I was so concerned about her situation. At one point, I even wished I would die.  

“But thanks to Première Urgence and Congo Handicap, I was able to recover from this. My hope and my dream for Christivie is that she walks one day."