Tonderai regains his health thanks to World Vision Zimbabwe

Children in Zimbabwe have the right to access health care, but due to some religious beliefs, this right has been consistently violated, leading to high child mortality rates of 49.5/1000 births which are much higher than the global target of 25/1000 births.

Although religious convictions are important in a child's upbringing, it is concerning when they violate the rights of the child. Ten-year-old *Tonderai from Honde Valley lost his hand after his family's religious beliefs prevented him from receiving timely medical attention.

One afternoon while the young boy was playing with his friends, he accidentally fell and hurt his hand. It looked and seemed quite minor, until his hand began to swell. Sadly, because the family’s religion forbids them from seeking assistance from a formal health center - they visited a local prophet who bound the boy’s hand with two splinters and pieces of cloth after informing the family that the boy had a fracture. Expectedly, this did not improve the boy's situation, in fact, it got worse. *Tonderai suffered excruciating pain in the days that followed and could not even attend school or play with his friends as he would normally do.

A relative to the family who happens to be a case care worker with the local Department of Social Development learned about the child's condition during a visit. She encouraged the family to seek immediate medical attention, but they declined, as this would be in violation of their religious beliefs.

Although concerned by the worsening condition of the child, the family could not defy the principles of their belief around the issues to do with healthcare. The relative decided to alert Social Services, and since they have a legal mandate over the right of children in the country, they had the family seek medical attention for the boy.

Under the guidance of the local Social Services team, World Vision Zimbabwe paid all hospital expenses and arranged for the child's transportation to the hospital despite the parents' objections. Sadly, even after all the joint effort, the delay to take the child to the hospital meant the damage was too far gone to save the hand and it had to be amputated.

The child's family struggled to deal with their son losing his hand and the process of taking him to the hospital which went against their religious beliefs. Therefore, *Tonderai spent his recuperation period staying with the local case care worker.

Fortunately, the boy was able to regain his health even though he lost his hand. He is currently back in school and living with his family at home. Thankfully, World Vision Zimbabwe was able to step in and assist.

These kind of cases are common in the communities the organization works, and we continue to work tirelessly together with various stakeholders to bring change even in situations where religion seems to trump human life and welfare. World Vision Zimbabwe envisions a world where all children have access to quality healthcare so that they can enjoy life in all its fullness.