The arrival of a new child is often a moment of celebration for a family, a time when joy fills the air and the community gathers to share in the happiness.

For Atupele Molesi, however, the birth of her third child, Zainab, signalled the start of an unexpected and challenging journey—one that would take an emotional toll and bring her face to face with harsh realities.

“Instead of receiving support, I was met with judgement and isolation. It was a painful time and I often felt completely alone,”

“Instead of seeing the beauty of a new life, all people saw was a child who was different. It was hard to bear,” Molesi recalls with despair.

The hurt of being judged and whispered about was constant. She describes how, with every glance, she could feel the weight of people’s disapproval.

“It was as though the community, which should have been a place of love and support, had turned against me,” she says.

Zainab was born with a condition affecting the growth of her skull, leaving her future uncertain and her mother’s heart heavy with a mix of love and concern.

The condition, a rare disorder, requires both immediate and long-term medical attention, something that Molesi was determined to secure for her daughter.

“I just wanted to see my daughter grow like any other child,” she says, her voice soft with longing. “I wanted her to run and play without pain and have the same opportunities as every other child.”

In search of hope, Molesi reached out to organisations that specialise in supporting children with rare medical conditions.

Though Zainab underwent surgery, she still needed extensive care, including physiotherapy for recovery.

Her journey took a positive turn when Zainab was enrolled in a programme designed to rehabilitate children with disabilities.

“When I first learned about this initiative, I felt hope in a way I hadn’t felt in months,” Molesi says, her face brightening. “It wasn’t going to be easy but this programme offered something no one else could—a real chance for Zainab to get the care she needed.”

St John of God Hospitaller Services, with support from the German charity Kindernothilfe (KNH), is running the initiative in Lilongwe.

It focuses on promoting and protecting the rights of children with disabilities, providing essential support to those who need it most.

Zainab’s life began to change as the healthcare professionals at the institution worked tirelessly to provide the necessary care.

“Each child’s journey is unique but with early intervention, we can give them the support they need to thrive.

“Zainab has made remarkable progress. She has gained more control over her body and is becoming more independent,” Precious Nkosi, a physiotherapist at St John of God, says.

Nkosi states that physiotherapy is more tha