YOHANA JOEL

Yohana with his Mother

A SUCCESSFUL STORY ABOUT YOHANA JOEL

Yohana Joel is a boy. He is 12 years old, He was born in Kasharunga Village in Muleba District. He was born with a disability (Albinism). Yohana was neglected by his father because he was born with albinism. His mother came in our CBR office while crying. She came with Yohana, Yohana was still a baby.

The mother cried much because she was blamed by relatives and some community members on giving birth a child with albinism. The community members believed that it is a curse to deliver a child with albinism that is why the father neglected the child.

From 2013 CBR Staff Started to cooperate well with Yohana’s mother. The mother was well supported, she got good guidance and counselling. She was encouraged to take care well her child with albinism she got all supports from CBR, The child was supported too. The child was supported lotions to protect the skin, clothes, hats and other basic needs.

Later Yohana was taken to a boarding school, a school with good security for children with albinism

CBR contained supporting Yohana all school needs including school materials, school uniforms, fare to and from school, Lotion and hats for protecting his skin. Currently, Yohana is still schooling at Mugeza inclusive Primary school in Bukoba Municipal. He is in standard five he does well in his studies, he knows well Swahili language, Mathematics, Science and sports and games. He likes much singing different songs, he likes playing with other children at school and at home. He is very famous at home because of his Nick – name (Chines boy).

Currently Yohana is well accepted by the community members, they became aware that disability is caused by a number of factors but not witchcraft, and that delivering a child with albinism is not a curse but is a blessing.

CBR continues supporting Yohana until he reaches good level of education In future Yohana wants to be a Doctor.