12 February 2009

Centre for the Advancement of the Handicapped (CAH) began in 1989 in Mahadaga, Burkina Faso, with Françoise Pedeau, a nurse and midwife, and a child named Moussa. In order to manage Moussa’s disability, Françoise decided to borrow a wheelchair. But after seeing the profound change in the child’s life, Françoise knew that much more could be done.

Now 20 years later, CAH includes a center for disabled people, a school for visually impaired and deaf and mute children, and a rehabilitation center with an orthopedic workshop.

Not only has there been tremendous growth and expansion in the last 20 years with this project, it has also physically, emotionally, and spiritually changed the lives of thousands of children, and their families, in eastern Burkina Faso. Here are just two personal stories of so many that could be told:

	Tigbeni is thankful to be more independent.

Tigbeni's Story

The staff of CAH met Tigbeni at a public awareness campaign in his village. He was in bad shape. Tigbeni had struggled with severe seizures for four years, and he had been abandoned by his family because his mother had lost hope. However, some staff members were able to convince his mother to bring him to the center for treatment.

Once at the center, he began treatment for epilepsy and entered the rehabilitation program. After a few months at CAH, Tigbeni and his mother returned home, but with the help of the center leaders who visit him regularly, Tigbeni has made great progress. The seizures have decreased, and he has learned to bathe himself again. He is once again an active part of his family. He is able to help around the house and participates in daily activities with his brothers and sisters.

Bendi's Story

“I thought she couldn’t learn anything,” Bendi’s mother told staff as they were trying to show her how to teach her daughter how to manage daily life activities. Suffering from a mental illness—congenital chromosomal disorder—Bendi, who was 19, looked like a 12-year-old and couldn’t do much of anything.

	Three children with cerebral-palsy are involved in training others to wash their clothes.

Since the CAH gave her crutches, Bendi has made a lot of progress. She shows marked improvement, even leaving the family compound by herself to walk around. Another step in the program was to teach her how to wash and dress herself. After having been equipped with these new skills, every morning she would ask for the broom to sweep the family compound. Before her treatment and training, she never took any initiative.

Bendi’s mother is deeply touched by the changes she sees in her daughter. This woman has suffered a lot—10 of her 12 children have died, and the two remaining ones are both girls—one of which is Bendi. Bendi’s mother became a Christian some years ago, but because of all the pain she has gone through, she walked away from the Lord. The staff took the opportunity to read some Bible passages with her and to sing for Bendi “Jesu bua a bila kuli”—Jesus loves all children.

Pray

• Thank the Lord for protection for every kilometer that our leaders travel on the rough paths.
• Thank God for the recovery of little Mattieu, a blind student who was seriously ill.
• Please pray for the financial support of the center.
• For the health of our staff and students at school as there are many diseases at the center.
• That the Lord will continues to help the staff in their work.

Give

Donations to support the work of Centre for the Advancement of the Handicapped (project 93279) can be made online.

Go

Are you interested in working in Burkina Faso? Check out the available opportunities!