Kuyeya’s story also highlights the disenfranchisement suffered by African children with intellectual disabilities. In Zambia, four in five children born with an intellectual disability die before their fifth birthday, and disabled girls are more likely to be raped than their non-disabled peers. Again, there are many cultural obstacles to progress on this issue, but the greatest obstacle is the lack of effective assistance. Although many organizations offer support to people with disabilities, the common practice of lumping intellectual disabilities (i.e. cognitive impairments) in with physical disabilities (e.g. a missing limb) ensures that many of the more difficult cases like Down syndrome and cerebral palsy fall through the cracks. Thankfully, the NGO community is beginning to address this problem, but they need our help.
Much has been said and written about HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. I particularly benefited from Sizwe’s Test by Jonny Steinberg, 28: Stories of AIDS in Africa by Stephanie Nolen, and Africa: Altered States, Ordinary Miracles by Richard Dowden. Two things struck me as I researched the novel. First, despite the attention the issue has received, the stigma associated with HIV remains entrenched around the world. Second, despite the extraordinary success of PEPFAR and the Global Fund in curbing the AIDS pandemic and saving millions of lives, Western nations, including the United States, are retrenching on AIDS relief at the same time that researchers are telling us that early ARV treatment can dramatically reduce the transmission of the virus. What once seemed impossible—a future without AIDS—is now conceivable. But it will not happen without the ongoing commitment of the rich world to humanitarian aid.
The good news is that private foundations, large net-worth individuals, and charitable organizations are taking up some of the slack left by governments. Indeed, it is possible that the foreign assistance of the future will be dominated by smart, innovative private giving. The source of the funding doesn’t matter. What matters is that we in the developed world maintain the spirit of magnanimity that has defined our relationship with the developing world for generations.
It is up to all of us to ensure that this happens.
Corban Addison
March, 2013