GATSIBO: Parents Abandoned After Giving Birth to Children With Disabilities

Some residents raising children at a disability care center in Ngarama Sector, Gatsibo District, shared their challenges. Many said their lives changed after giving birth to children with disabilities. Several parents reported being abandoned by their spouses and left with full responsibility.

The parents explained that family conflicts often start immediately after the child is born.

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Parents Share Their Painful Stories

Mukashyaka Alphonsina, one of the parents at the center, said family problems followed her child’s birth.
“When a child is born with a disability, the family often breaks apart,” she said. “My in-laws talked to me, but my husband never did. I tried to speak with him, but he refused advice.”

Mukamuganga also described her experience.
“People asked me why I was breastfeeding my child,” she said. “They called the child useless. Their words hurt me deeply. I felt alone, and my husband later abandoned me.”

Community Misconceptions Despite Government Support

Many parents said extended families blamed them for their children’s disabilities. Some claimed it was a hereditary curse from the mother’s family. This belief often leads to neglect of the child.

As a result, some children fail to receive proper care, healthcare, and education.

Despite these challenges, the Rwandan government supports children with disabilities. They can attend school, reach university, and compete in the job market. However, many community members still lack proper understanding of disability and inclusion.