Sponsor a Child
When families cannot afford treatment fees, the Centre does its best to help. But covering these costs can be difficult.
Sponsorship costs around $76 per-month, per-child for full board and therapy. This includes housing, food, medical care, and physical therapy.
How you can help…
Mlali currently supports four children whose families cannot afford treatment—you can read their stories below.
Contributions go into a shared fund, which is updated each month to reflect the Centre’s most urgent needs.
Blessing is the Centre’s longest-staying child. His mother brought him in 2015 while pregnant—near the time of her delivery, she left Blessing at the Centre and returned home, but tragically died during childbirth. Blessing has remained under the Centre’s care ever since.
Now well beyond the usual age range of 3 to 10, he is dependent in every way and requires full support. His family has contributed nothing toward his care over the past 11 years, and his prospects for recovery are very limited. As Fr. Gaudence says, what the Centre can offer him is “tender loving care.”
Blessing Edward
Schola is six years old. Her parents separated, and her father is largely absent, leaving her mother—who is single and caring for four other children—to bear the full financial burden of her care. For this reason, she cannot afford Schola’s treatment.
When she first arrived, Schola could neither walk nor speak and was unable to interact with other children. After 14 months at the Centre, she can now do both, and her progress is very encouraging. The Centre hopes she will make a full recovery and return to her family soon.
Scholastica (Schola)
Modrick is seven years old. He arrived at the Centre several months ago with his mother, who also brought a younger son she could not leave behind. Modrick developed cerebral palsy in his early years and did not receive timely treatment, so he is still unable to walk.
At the Centre, he receives physiotherapy and has begun to show improvement. His family is very poor and cannot pay for his care, and the Centre does not insist given their situation.
(Top: Modrick learning to walk, Bottom: Modrick’s mother with his younger brother)
Modrick
Suzan comes from a poor family with no stable income. Her father suffers from severe psychological illness, so her mother shoulders the family alone.
Suzy has been at the Centre for four years. When she first arrived, she was not nearly as independent and capable as she is today. Her recovery is one of the most encouraging cases. Fr. Gaudence says that she has a sharp mind and grasps things quickly. He hopes that within a year or so, she'll begin formal education. The Centre's work continues to support her physical stability and confidence in movement.