Atap believed she’d never be able to do much because of her disability. She can’t walk. She didn’t attend school. She had only one friend and relied on her family for everything. This affected her perception of herself from a young age. “It makes me a failure,” she thought. 

Christian Mercy International (CMI) works in Atap’s community, providing access to education for vulnerable children. CMI assists ten schools in the district. They support children and their carers through livelihood activities. When they met Atap’s, they wanted to help her see her value.

With your support, they bought Atap a wheelchair.

“Upon receiving a wheelchair from CMI, my life was restored,” Atap declared.

The wheelchair gave Atap confidence and enabled her to enrol in her local school. “I never had an idea of going to school, let alone doing anything on my own because I cannot walk,” she reflected.

With the wheelchair, Atap gained independence.

 Now, Atap can be like the other children. “With this wheelchair, my life has changed. I began to go to school now like any other neighbour’s children and started making friends in our classroom,” she said.

The wheelchair has also ended Atap’s isolation. Before having a wheelchair, it was difficult for Atap to make friends. “Even though I had one [friend], we could not move together as friends do.” With her new wheelchair, Atap can now get to know more friends at school!  

Because of your support, CMI helped Atap realise she has a purpose. Despite Atap having "feeble legs," she discovered her independence through the support of a wheelchair. She now has confidence in herself and dreams for the future.

“I learned that being disabled is not inability; I might be disabled physically, but my brain is not,” Atap said. “I will continue with my studies up to class eight. By God’s grace, I can finish my high school.”

December 3 is International Day of People with Disability. Our partners aim to serve the most vulnerable in their communities. This includes people living with a disability. Many of our partners work with people with disability to provide practical help and restore dignity where they have been marginalised.

Your support plays a crucial role in enabling life-changing support for people like Atap.