Besufekad Bazezew, a 7-year-old boy from Gondar, Ethiopia, was born prematurely and faced immediate health challenges. His mother, Fentanesh Niguse, noticed that he relied heavily on one side of his body and was lagging behind his peers in walking, talking, and playing. Living in economic hardship, Fentanesh worried about her son’s future, unsure if he would ever lead a normal life. Hope arrived when Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) workers from the University of Gondar assessed Besufekad and diagnosed him with cerebral palsy. Rather than leave Fentanesh to cope alone, the CBR team created a personalised home therapy program tailored to Besufekad’s needs and educated Fentanesh on supporting his progress. With their guidance, Besufekad began to improve in mobility and communication. At six years old, he joined the GAT Day Care Center, where he thrived in a supportive environment. He learned the alphabet, improved his communication skills, and gained better control over his movements. Today, Besufekad attends a regular school, a milestone that once felt impossible. For Fentanesh, watching her son walk through the school gates fills her with pride and gratitude for the support they have received.

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