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Eva is a 18 year old developmentally challenged young lady. Her birthday is September 19, 1996. Eva is a double orphan. Her father is unknown and her mother died when she was 12 years old. She lives with extended family in Bauleni. Eva likes to play net ball and soccer. When asked what she needs or wants, she replied, “ Clothes and shoes.” She would like to be a police woman, someday.
We met Eva on our first Saturday in Bauleni. She has been at school every day since then. She is a happy and very polite young lady. I felt close to her after our first meeting. Because of her developmental delay, she struggles with academics, but she always puts forth her very best effort. Zambia is a hard place to grow up for children without disabilities, so it is even harder for her. |
When we met Eva, she had been taking medication for Tuberculosis. Because of her illness her caregivers did not treat her very well. She was forced to eat away from the rest of the family, she had her own plate and she wasn’t allowed to eat from any other one. Even after she was finished with her TB medications and seemed well, this persisted. For a while the teachers at school even made her have the same plate all the time. When we found out that she was well again, we had them stop this practice. While school is difficult for her, she is accepted by her peers and she absolutely loves being there.
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