Zambia: A 4 year old child living with disabilities in the Solwezi district has been abandoned by her mother. The girl, who has siblings who are able bodied, was left alone in the house as she went to the market.
A resident of the district Lydia Pandao, had met the girl’s mother in the market in the Mapopo Area. The mother further invited the girl to the house.
At the house, Lydia Pandao found the four year old was left alone and unsupervised as her mother went to the market.
On asking, the mother informed Pandao that she had other children who needed support and affection. The resident then suggested that the girl should be taken to the hospital.
At the hospital, the girl was found suffering from malnutrition and edema. She was hospitalized by the medical staff to allow the girl to be given proper treatment. The mother had refused to take the girl to hospital saying that she was fine and was only under a bewitchment.
The matter then came to the attention of the Solwezi district administration. They shared that they spoke to the mother of the four year old. She had refused to take care of the girl during her hospital stay and after she had been discharged.
The mother argued that it was challenging for her to focus on the four year old with her disability while taking care of her other children. The resident who had taken the infant to the hospital has confirmed the mother’s treatment of her is unsafe.
The child, according to Lydia Pandao needs a safe environment to heal and recover from the trauma. The authorities have since taken stock of the situation and has been working hard to make sure that the family’s challenges can be addressed.
The officials have spoken to the mother, identified as Etty Dinala. The woman confirmed that she is not able to take care of her child due to financial constraints.
As such she believes that the child should stay with Lydia as she is used to the 24 year old. However, the age and financial position of Lydia make her a bad choice for the 4 years old girl’s upbringing.
The district officials have extended monetary support to the mother. They have asked her to prioritize her 4 year old toddler equally as she prioritizes her siblings as she needs a mother.