8 June 2011
It is hard to imagine a life more difficult than Mardi’s. He had everything working against him. His parents died when he was young. Then, while living with his uncle’s family, he contracted polio and lost the use of both his legs.

Like many children with disabilities, he lived without dignity, crawling through the dirt and with no chance for an education. He was basically considered a lost cause.

When Mandi was in his early twenties, members of our team from the Centre for the Advancement of the Handicapped in Mahadaga, Burkina Faso, discovered him. At that time, all they could do was get him a tricycle but that was already a big step forward. With the tricycle, Mandi could get around on his own, go to the market and visit people but the tricycle didn’t give him something to do.

He wanted to be independent and make his own way like everyone else. Mandi suggested that he be given the chance to learn to sew and the Centre helped to set up a sewing apprenticeship with someone near his village.

It was not easy at first. People made fun of Mandi. They mocked him and said, “How can a disabled person learn to sew?”, but he refused to listen and persevered.

Now, Mandi has his own business in his own shop. His family helped to build the building. He is even training another apprentice who is also disabled.

When you talk to him, he is obviously very proud of his work. He earns his own living and helps out his family. What a change! He has gainful employment and attends church. He married a year ago and has recently had his first child.

The transformation of Mardi’s life is just one of many helped through the Centre for the Advancement of the Handicapped in Burkina Faso. Each year many people are helped to live with dignity and hope and given the gift of independence.

Pray

PRAY for the staff at the Centre. The work is challenging and demanding, though wonderfully rewarding. Pray that those who are helped physically will also come to know Jesus. The most pressing prayer need is for funds to continue the work of the Centre.

I you would like to give towards the work of the Center for the Advancement of the Handicapped, please contact your nearest SIM office and give towards project #93279.

	A video about the Center for the Advancement of the Handicapped