Changing Lives

Photocase from Sri Lanka

I am Hasini Sadunika. Though I am five years old, I can't walk and talk like other children of my age. I live with my mother and grandmother who love me a lot. I have never seen my father as he left us soon after I was born. My mother stays at home and looks after me, while my grandmother manages our small shop (grocery store).
 

One day, an aunty (LCDRC staff) visited our house and spoke to my mother for 2-3 hours. Thereafter, she continued to visit our house on a regular basis and started teaching me few exercises. Although it was tough at first, with my mother's help I started exercising regularly.
 

Gradually I was able to walk. Every Monday, my mother used to take me to a nearby center for a massage (LCDRC, Galle office for physiotherapy).

Thereafter, the aunty taught my mother few games which we could play together. It was a lot of fun. With my mother and grandmother, I started visiting the center on Saturday's too, where I was taught to pronounce words. (communication/ speech therapy).

I started enjoying the aunty's visits and looked forward to them. She taught me to comb my hair, brush my teeth and many other things. Now, I can do all these things on my own without my mother's or grandmother's help. Then one day, my mother and the aunty visited a nearby school. They came back and told me that I could go to school like other children in my village. I looked forward to playing with other children.

Now I am in a pre-school. Everybody likes me. I also like them. My teacher always reminds me that I am very naughty. Next year, I will be in grade I.

My mother and grandmother are very happy. Sometimes, I help my mother in cooking and my grandmother in the shop.

Hasini Sadunika, 5 years, Galle, Sri Lanka