A 21-year-old man from Omega 3 in the Kongola Constituency, Kupulo yeku Mbeleko, has been living with kyphosis, an abnormal curvature of the spinal cord, his entire life.

In 2022, Mbeleko’s condition worsened when he began experiencing pain in his lower limbs, at which point he became wheelchair-bound.

He said his condition has prevented him from continuing his education, as he had to drop out in Grade 9. The sandy terrain in his area and at school makes it challenging to push his wheelchair without assistance.

Despite numerous consultations with the constituency office, he has not received any feedback regarding placement in a special school.

Among his other challenges is constant back pain, while the nearest health facilities, Cheto Clinic and Sesheke Clinic in Kongola, are 40 km and approximately 70 km away, respectively.

Mbeleko is appealing to the government for assistance, as he wishes to complete his education.

The Development Planner in the Office of the President under the Division of Marginalised Communities in the Zambezi Region, Esdrus Kaseba said he spoke with Mbeleko and will be meeting him along with the Ministry of Gender Equality officials to see how he can be assisted.