The Gender Office in North-Western Province has come to the aid of a eighteen-year-old girl Faith Mwanza, who has been suffering from a severe and rare skin disease for almost eighteen years.
Principal Gender Officer Limpo Sishekanu says because of her condition the girl had stopped going to school due to stigma and discrimination from fellow pupils despite the government’s free education policy.
Ms Sishekanu indicates that after trying Solwezi General Hospital and Ndola Central Hospital but to no avail, her office sought some assistance from the Gender Division Permanent Secretary Mainga Kabika.
She explained that the Permanent Secretary went to the University Teaching Hospital UTH to see if the girl could be evacuated for further treatment and responded in affirmative.
Ms Sishekanu said this in Solwezi today after visiting the girl who is kept by her 55-year-old aunt Ennefy Mwanza in Kawiku area of Solwezi.
And Ms Mwanza said she is happy with the gesture from the government through the Gender Division Office.
Ms Mwanza explains that Faith who is a double orphan had the skin disease from the age of 10 months and she is still undergoing a lot of setbacks to maintain her well-being.
Faith thanked her mother for being kind to her adding that her situation is not friendly in the community and at school.
“I lack proper shelter, clothing, groceries among others” Faith appealed” she said.
- ZANIS