Praise

When Praise was eight months old, Sky and his wife noticed something wasn’t quite right with their son. He wasn’t hitting the milestones of the other children. They tell me about the fear and hopelessness they experienced when they were told Praise has Cerebral Palsy and a degree of paralysis that meant he would likely never stand or walk. With a great deal of courage and a strong faith that God has a plan for Praise, they are now working closely with Matilda at Ripple Africa’s Disability Group in Kande.

Matilda met Praise when he was two years old. He is now seven, and with Matilda’s guidance and his parents’ diligence, Praise has learned to sit on his own, is crawling, and has developed a love for cars, any kind of music, and spending time with his siblings. While he is still dependent on a wheelchair that he cannot operate on his own, his parents are hopeful that one day Praise will walk. Sky shares with me he is certain that without the disability group his son would not be where he is today. He is so grateful for Matilda’s guidance and support, but fears what will happen if funding for the program becomes scarce, as he has seen happen with so many programs in Malawi.

Though Praise cannot attend school because his care needs are too great for the teachers there to accommodate, he loves to write and draw. The family has just returned from a trip to Lilongwe – seven hours by bus south of their home village - so that Praise could be fitted for a brace to help his left arm. They were told there might be more to be done to help Praise’s mobility, so they are hopeful they can return in a few months for treatment that will help with his long-term independence. Money is scarce, but they are determined. They hope one day there will be a dedicated school here for children like Praise, or that he could have a guardian to attend school with him.

Praise isn’t feeling well on the day we meet. He’s sick with malaria. But still, he smiles widely at me, and asks if I can stay for lunch. There is wisdom in his youthful eyes; a kind of understanding about the complexity of our world. He finds joy every day. He is loved. And I am reminded again how suffering and beauty are inseparable.