These beaming smiles belong to our Tikondane Village Savings and Loan (VSL) group members, who have just harvested the fruits of their labor after a year of hard work and diligent saving. Through our VSL program, these incredible individuals have learned the value of saving, budgeting, and investing in the future of their families. Click the link below to learn more about how VSLs work and hear incredible stories from these women.
New Wheels from Orant’s Healthcare Program
Andrea Mwale’s story of illness and recovery
Andrea Mwale’s story of illness
Andrea lived a normal, healthy life until 2017, when he was hit by hypertension, which completely changed his life. Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is when the pressure in your blood vessels is too high.
Andrea explains how one day, he woke up very energetic like any other normal day until in the afternoon when he had a terrible headache.
“The headache became so unbearable that I collapsed. I woke up on a hospital bed but I could not move the lower part of my body; from the waist downwards,” explains Andrea.
Andrea explains that he was told by the doctor that he had hypertension which resulted in a stroke.
Stroke is a brain attack, which occurs when something blocks blood supply to part of the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. In either case, parts of the brain become damaged or a person dies. A stroke can cause lasting brain damage, long-term disability, or even death.
“From this day, my life changed as I could not move on my own and I depended on my parents and my siblings to move me and do everything for me,” narrates Andrea.
Andrea’s recovery and outlook on life
His life became easier when a well-wisher gave him a wheelchair, which for years had been helping him to move around and do other things on his own, until a year ago when the wheelchairs tires and steels wore out.
It was hard for Andrea to get a new wheelchair as his life depends on his old parents whose source of income is making reed mats. With his worn out wheelchair, Andrea had no other means of moving around and for a year, he could not go anywhere but lay on the veranda of his house every evening and watch the sun set.
New Wheels from Orant’s Healthcare Program
Our healthcare team heard of Andrea’s story and wanted to help Andrea by getting him a new wheelchair.
“I could not believe it when I heard that Orant was planning on getting me a new wheelchair until today, when I saw people bringing it,” says Andrea whilst smiling ear to ear.
Andrea explains how this new wheelchair will help him to go out and associate with friends. He also explains how excited he is to go back to church after a year.
“I love going to church but for a year I haven’t been going to church. I am so grateful for this priceless gift that Orant has given to me, ” says Andrea.
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