Muhoza A.Julius who was abandoned by his parents.

Kamonyi district, Rukoma secyor,Karuli village, five-year-old boy Muhoza Arimwise Julius, who was born in Kigali city, Nyarugenge district.

He has multiple disabilities, can’t  talk or walk the fact that he has disability in addition of that his birth parents abandoned him, the mother who is a sister to the caretaker left this child  three years ago. This boy apart from laying down he can’t sit, move or turn around except clapping his hands slowly or shaking both legs in a way of bending and stretching them, this child also has no special needs card,  since his mother left him, he never took him to any organizations or hospital due to lack of money,so that he would receive help like other people with disabilities.

In a conversation with Nyirahabimana Heralie, who is the caretaker of this child, she told us that” it is difficult to raise him, he is totally dependent on everything because when he fails to sleep, he cries the same way, even if he is hungry or tired.” She continues to say that she tries her best to provide him with food and clothes,  she is not able to take him to the hospital she is a simple farmer who just eat from hand to mouth, she has no side income at all and she stays at home, all this while taking care of his old father alone.

She continued to tell us how she got this child, “In 2019, My sister Abimana Annoilite abandoned the child. She was staying in Kigali  came to visit us like she always did occasionally and left the boy we thought she would come back for him but never did, I was obliged to raise the child until now no one has called me to ask his whereabouts.

This case and many more of special children who are down in the village doesn’t give them chances for proper treatment, education and social life.

Talking to Josee Uwilingiyimana Vice mayor social affairs in Kamonyi she admits that they have had such cases but this is new to them for example the case of Bikorimana Noel was assisted to get a new home wich is a good example and argued to parents to never abandon their children because being special doesn’t make you an outcast.

However, completion on Rwandan Disability Legal Framework, recall to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity. Persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on equal basis with others.

General obligations, through article 4, on the states Parties undertake to ensure and promote the full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all persons with disabilities without discrimination of any kind on the basis of disability. The States Parties undertake: to take into account the protection and promotion of the human rights of persons with disabilities in all policies and programs, and also to take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability by any person, organization or private enterprise.

According to UNICEF, Addressing Stigma Around Disabilities in the Community. Engaging young people is key in promoting positive mindset towards disability, and to eliminate discrimination.

Twahirwa Umumarashavu Janat.