Advent – World disability day

Jesus announced that his purpose in coming to earth was that

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me.

He has sent me to preach good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the prisoners

and recovery of sight to the blind, to liberate the oppressed,

and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour. (Luke 4:18-19, quoting Isaiah 61:1, 2)

Throughout his ministry Jesus helped and healed many people with disabilities – not just the blind, but also the deaf, the paralysed, maimed and lame, epileptics and those with psychiatric and spiritual problems – in addition to meeting their spiritual needs. As we approach Christmas, it would be useful to ask ourselves how we can do the same – to release them from the burden of disability and the poverty that so often goes with it.

Today is World Disability Day and we can see how HHI support and funding for the disabled has given three young Zambians hope for the future.

Bibian is now 22 and has suffered a life of discomfort, immobility, and discrimination because of a severe lymphatic disease on her left leg. Last year her diseased limb was finally amputated and Bibian was given a prosthetic limb. The good news is that as of January 2022, Bibian will be able to fulfil her dream as she has a place to restart her education without pain, in Choongo school.

Grace Mushiba is a young lady who is a double amputee and has spent most of her life watching her friends growing up, gaining confidence and independence. Grace, however, has spent many weeks in hospital and has had to rely on HHI funding for wheelchair repairs and replacements. She has many siblings, and her parents are very poor. Until recently Grace lacked confidence and there was no hope for her future. Thanks to HHI she is now going to start a tailoring course where she will receive individual training by an experienced HHI seamstress who is also disabled. She will gain a new skill and have a purpose.

Sunbouy Hansokomona is a physically disabled student who has been supported by HHI throughout his years of schooling and into his college studies at Chianama College. He studied Health Sciences and is now looking forward to his graduation day and deployment as a clinical officer. He has a future with employment and a sustainable income. He, in turn will be helping those in need.

Prayer

Lord, we pray for Bibian and Grace, as they move on with disabled bodies in a society that has little to offer them. We pray that they will both learn skills that can support them in the years to come, either at school or through training. We pray that you will encourage them when times are hard or they feel down, and that they will find solace in you. And we pray for all the other disabled around the world, particularly those in the parts of Zambia and India where HHI works, that resources can be provided to meet their needs and to enable them to have as fulfilling a life as possible.