Deo Honest is quick with a disarming smile. Despite the challenges faced after being injured by falling rock in a lava mine, which resulted in the loss of a leg, he has proceeded with his studies. Though he has both parents they are poor subsistence farmers and the plight of a disabled child in the Tanzania is difficult. Deo merited assistance.
Deo had had to walk with crutches 2 km back and forth to school since outgrowing the prosthetic he was fitted for in 2008. His challenge was discussed with Home Based Care and it was decided that Honest should be boarded at school to maximize his success and reduce the difficulty and time spent walking. He enrolled at Lombeta Secondary School in 2011 and completed his studies up to Form 4 or Grade 11, sponsored by Kilema Support Fund Tuition Project.
In Deo’s final year, fellow students insisted he had to act to get a new leg and offered to engage in fundraising to help contribute. After waiting until his growth was complete-he had grown remarkably since 2008- Deo was fitted for another prosthetic leg in 2014 with the help of Canadian prosthetic technician, Geoff Hall of Victoria and the KSF volunteer team that year.
Sponsored Student:DeoHonest
Gender:Male
Referred by: CACHA: surgical mission 2008/Stephanie
Caregiver: mother father: farmers
Social History: disabled
Home visits:2009 cement block, corrogated metal roof, well kept
School visit: 2010/2011
KSF Tuition Project Funding History:
KSF Tuition Project Funding History:
2008 Funded for a prosthetic leg
2009
2010 Funded at Pakula Secondary Form 1school fees. Repair to prosthetic leg.
2011 Funded at Lombeta Secondary Form 2 school fees + boarding fees. He is moving around on crutches therefore requires boarding school. Received shirts, counter books, dictionary pens pencils, uniform.
2012 Funded for boarding school at Lombeta Secondary Form 3 in Kilema District. He is very well liked by his headmaster. Main complaint is reduced mobility as he no longer fits his prosthetic leg due to growth.
2013 Funded at Lombeta School for Form 4. Continues to need a prosthetic and other school students are advocating for Deo. They will attempt to fundraise to begin the process. Deo continues well with his studies and we will await Form 4 results.
2014 Deo passed Form 4. Check out blogs ‘Partnerships’ and ‘Who’s got the leg?’ that describe the experience of helping Deo get fitted for a new prosthetic leg! A great success!
2015 Not in school …Currently waiting for funding.
Educational Achievement: Passed Form 4
In 2014 Deo was fitted with an artificial leg made available through donations from Canada. This will give him a greater mobility as he continues on with his education now that he has completed Form 4.
Next Steps for Deo?
A recent message from our Tanzania KSF field staff:
“Dear Stephanie!
We will work to see he achieves his goal!