NEW ME

Salim lives in remote area under the roof of Mointan Kilimanjaro. Following an accident at the age of seven, where he sustained a spinal cord injury, he was left paralysed from the neck down. Salimu was about to start school but his dream of starting school soon vanished after the injury.

He explains: “The accident happened when I was a very little boy. I was an inpatient at the hospital for many years. After being discharged, my family hid me in the house all the time. I was not allowed to go out at all. I developed a lot of pressure sores. I was hiding for so many years and I accepted that this was my life. I thought that’s how disabled people should live.

“Life was not easy for me. I remember hearing other children’s voices when they were going to and from school. I am happy one of my family taught me how to read and write.

“After many years, I went to the hospital to find a wheelchair, and it was there that one of the doctors asked me if I had ever heard about Songambele. I asked many questions about Songambele and where I could find them. I went straight to their office and met happy souls in wheelchairs. I was shocked! I couldn’t believe they cannot walk and are happy in their wheelchair. I wanted to know what made them happy. One peer supporter told me: ‘I walk from my heart and the most important thing is to accept yourself’.

“Since that day, my life changed completely. I was given a new wheelchair and attended group discussions. During the discussions I learned a lot of things from other participants. Bladder and bowel management was a very big challenge for me. I am independent now, I can travel by myself and do everything myself. What makes me more happy is; I can go the the hospital and share my experience with newly people with spinal cord injury.

“Before I met the peer supporter at Songambele I tried to end my life three times. I tried to commit suicide but thank God that he gave me another chance to share with my peers.”

We want to thank all who supported us and who are part of this initiative.

Please continue to tell your friends about us so that we can be able to improve lives of more people with disabilities who are in rural areas