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 Orphanage
Mummy Deborah - takes in abandoned disabled children. Many are suffering from epilepsy, some disabled children are just left to die.
Epilepsy state is 1-2% in the population of 50,000
People come from miles around for treatment. Locals consider epilepsy as devil sorcery.
Standard medicine not made available on long term basis but is ineffective if only used for a short time.
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 Josephine Sankoh (Butterfly) Born without hands – only stubby fingers attached at the elbow. Abandoned by parents but adopted by granny, (Hawa) who begged on street to feed herself and the child. The nickname butterfly, originates from the way that Josephine runs with her arms extended to keep her balance.
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Manie Kanu (back showing) - 4th wife of Muslim, had one daughter - left husband & the town, eventually was baptised.
Menuna Conteh (on right behind table)
Both are blind, single mothers & can read brail. They are shown making soap.
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   Mariatu from India Physio Rehabilitation. Mariatu at 3 years - Could not walk, muscles had not developed.
Local carpenters work to make a small chairs and other equipment, designed to help with the rehabilitation.
Mother (Serah) explains to others at school what can be achieved & Serah acts as cleaner at school.
The frame made to allow her to stand, build up her muscles, then walking with frame. Crawling up chair back, to further develop her muscles & balance.
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   Building of the rehabilitation centre was done by local architects and carpenters.
The total cost for the building was $10,000.
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 Saidu - Had battery acid injected into arm, acid had eaten flesh & cause other damage.
Currently he is an apprentice carpenter.
He makes benches for school now and has taken on responsibility for 5 children of his sister who died. |
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Alusine Bangalie
Fell out of mango tree & broke his back at 16, now he is aged 20 & is confined to wheel chair. Alusine now repairs radios, to earn a living. |
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 Mibalu Kailie
21 years old – had suffered from polio since infancy. And now (On Left) testing a ramp for getting a wheel chair up without tipping as well as checking accessibility to toilets.
Right: Hand sewing machine. |
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Jaminatu Bonia 3 disabled limbs & one handed, He is building house with no stairs. He works as a hair dresser currently teaching two apprentices.
You can’t forget what impediments you have, whats important is what you do with what you have. |
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 Equipment in Rehab Centre - Made by local carpenter, including training steps & examination couch
Chair - Back for climbing walking frame on wheels standing frame- holds child’s legs, body and head helps strengthen muscles.
- Chair with high back encourages development of muscles by climbing.
- Walking frame on wheels – develops ability, confidence, & balance.
- Standing frame – child is strapped in. The frame is used to produce self confidence & leg muscles
- Steps further develop leg muscles.
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 These two are the only two rehabilitation physiotherapists in the country. Sister Joyce and Stephen Moninina. |