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Healing Against the Odds: Isaac’s Story from Rwanda

Inclusion Rehabilitation Rights
Rwanda

Isaac, a nine-year-old Rwandan boy, defeated disability with the support of the Uburezi Iwacu Project.  The Uburezi Iwacu is a USAID-funded Project that supports children with disabilities and contributes to Rwandan children's literacy.

Isaac before and after treatment

Isaac before and after treatment | © HI

Isaac Irakoze is a nine-year-old Rwandan boy. At the age of four, he started having pain in his left leg, which later developed into a leg ulcer that was causing him constant pain, itching, and swelling. Finally, his parents decided to take him to the health center, where he was transferred to several hospitals until he reached HVP Gagatara, which specializes in rehabilitation.

However, the healing journey was long and too expensive to afford. Isaac’s family ended up terminating the treatment because of financial constraints. Isaac’s mother shared that attending school regularly was difficult for her son. Sometimes, the pain would come back, and he would not be able to walk, even with his crutches.  

Isaac’s Fight for Healing and Education

Fortunately, during outreach to identify children with disabilities in his village, community volunteers examined Isaac’s case. With the support of the Uburezi Iwacu Project, Isaac was finally assessed by the team and referred to the district hospital and the HVP Gatagara, where they found that his leg had worsened without treatment. Doctors decided the best path forward would be to amputate Isaac’s leg and provide him with a prosthesis. 

Isaac’s father is grateful to see his son on the mend.

"My family is very thankful for the Uburezi Iwacu project,” Isaac’s father says. “If it were not for that, our son would be suffering now, with no hope for tomorrow. Now, I see Isaac’s smile rather than suffering, which gives us peace and hope for his future.”

Hope Rekindled: Isaac’s Path to Healing & Happiness

With a twinkle in his eyes, Isaac describes the enormous shift that changed his life.

 “I used to be in constant pain because of my leg. I could not walk, which prevented me from going to school. I could never catch up when I returned. Poor performance was all I got. However, as I was able to get the proper treatment, I am not in pain anymore. I am learning to stroll using the prosthesis, and I am sure that I will even be able to run in the future."

Isaac is back at school and re-enrolled in first grade. His teachers have already noticed a significant improvement in his grades.

“We are all happy to see Isaac return to school,” says Mukamusoni, Isaac’s teacher. “He is full of energy and was able to catch up and progress well. He comes regularly, which helps him keep up with good progress in the class.”

The Uburezi Iwacu Project, funded by USAID, is implemented by World Vision in partnership with Humanity & Inclusion and the Imbuto Foundation. The project supports children with disabilities and contributes to Rwandan children's literacy.

 

Date published: 01/13/25

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