One student’s uphill struggle

DAN NGABONZIZA meets the student who has made it to school against all odds “I wish to complete my studies and become an electrical engineer because I am good at mathematics,” begins Theodore Niyigaba. Niyigaba is 22 and a senior-two student. Some seven years older than most of his classmates, Niyigaba is an altogether unique student. He was born without legs. Niyigaba, the third born in his family was the first born disabled. His father is also disabled as are six out of ten of his siblings. They have dug deep in their family history to find the cause, but no source was discovered for the disease. Despite the challenges life presents, Niyigaba has pursued his ambitions with determination. “One of my ambitions was to step into a secondary classroom,” he says. Preparing to get back to King David Academy after the holidays which end on Monday, Niyigaba is clearly proud to have made it. Visiting Niyigaba at his home, I was greeted with the utmost hospitality. Moving very slowly, Niyigaba and his father smile kindly: “Praise the lord and most welcome our visitor.” This is how they greet their guests; the whole family is Christian. Niyigaba has spent his holiday sitting with his “beloved” father on the house veranda. They talk about family affairs and each other’s endeavours. As we get talking, we are joined by Niyigaba’s brothers and sisters who walk at the same gentle pace. Their disabilities are all different, Niyigaba has clearly been the worst affected but this did not prevent him going to school. A feat in itself and by no means an easy process. His arms are not strong and he struggles to take notes. “Concentration in class has become a problem for me. Teachers come in every minute and write very many notes which I can’t follow,” he complains. “If want to get someone to photocopy notes for me, it would greatly help me” he explains. But the school has apparently declined to offer him this service.The struggle continues outside the classroom. “I move in a wheelchair. But sometimes my friends get tired of pushing me from my dormitory to class which is about 200 meters,” he says. He adds that his fellow classmates have been good to him. They take it in turns to push him to class. “They are kind in helping me. But just like you know about school life, I have to give them some thing,” he explains.Niyigaba’s expenditures at school have gone beyond expectation. He spends almost Frw3,000 a day. He gives Frw200 to a roommate who makes his bed and showers him every day. “I must give it to him because I can’t do it my self,” he says. Niyigaba says that if he can get an electrical wheelchair, things would be much easier. He would be able to travel from home to school and back again easily. “I get much care at home but I can’t manage studying as a day scholar due to transport problems,” narrates Niyigaba. Niyigaba started primary school late because of lacking transport means. He started it in 1999 at the age of 15. “I felt ashamed of starting school because of the old age but my father encouraged me to do so and I started,” he says with a smiling face. In this face of so much adversity, Niyigaba remains reflective. “My long serving disability is God’s gift. I have to take it the way it is with my family.” Ends