The Nyanungo Family visits Fairfield Children's Home

During November, Lynn Norman, one of the angels of Fairfield Children's Home, travelled from her home in the Washington D.C. area to Old Mutare, the second of her trips there in 2006. Besides bringing joy to children's and staff at the orphanage, she also gave joy to the Nyanungo family by inviting them to visit her. During that visit, Lynn took several short video clips of Wayne, her parents, Yvonne and Wellington, and her brothers, Daniel and Rufaro. Four of those clips follow on this blog. You will see Wayne, perhaps, in quite a different light from the pictures further on in the blog. You will see her being very much a part of her family's life, although having always to cope with her severe disabilities. We invite you to watch these videos and learn to know Wayne a little better.

To watch the videos, click the arrow at the lower left corner of the screen.

Wayne leaving Fairfield Children's Home in her father's truck

Wayne and her mother leaving Fairfield Children's Home

Wayne and her father, Wellington

Wayne and her mother (Click arrow to play this video.)

Wayne with her caregiver, Rachael Madora,
and her brothers, Rufaro and Daniel

Wayne's parents, Yvonne and

Wellington Nyanungo

Two weeks ago, Yvonne and Wellington lost the child, a girl, they were expecting, near-term when I met them in late July. Again, they experience great loss. Meanwhile, we continue to search for people who may be able to help Wayne have a better life. See the next post to learn more about Wayne.

Introducing Wayne Nyanungo

Wayne is 10 years old. She lives with her family in Irene Township, a rural area 12 km northwest of Mutare, Zimbabwe, a few kilometers from Old Mutare and Africa University. Wayne seldom leaves her home, since she is severely handicapped and barely able to move any part of her body. (See Wayne's picture at the end of this post.)

When Wayne was born in 1996, she was nine weeks premature and weighed 1.5 kg. Her physicians gave her 0% chance of living, but Wayne surprised everyone. She lived and thrived for a while, but at six months, when Wayne could not sit up, doctors diagnosed cerebral palsy. The severity of Wayne’s physical problems increased, and she has never been able to walk. Today, she lies on a mat on the floor of her house, many of her joints fused and immovable. She communicates with her family. She eats well. She is very much a living part of her family’s life.

In 2005, with funds provided mainly by Compassionate Consultation Initiative Project – Zimbabwe (www.ccipzim.org), a Kansas organization headed by Rev. Kennedy Mukwindidza, Wayne was taken by her family to Bloemfontein, South Africa, for treatment by an interested and concerned doctor, who invited the Nyanungos to live in his home. However, the treatment made no substantial difference in Wayne’s condition. Since then, repeated seizures have caused increased twisting of her spine.

Shortly before I left Old Mutare early in August, Wayne’s father, Wellington, picked me up at Old Mutare and drove me the short distance to their home, where I met Wayne, her two young brothers, and her caregiver, Rachael Madora, who has been with the family six years. Later, Wayne’s mother, Yvonne, a United Methodist pastor in Mutare, came to meet me, and she told me all that I know of Wayne’s medical history and current condition.

When Kennedy Mukwindidza asked me to visit Wayne, it was so I might consider acquiring some sort of chair or conveyance for Wayne. When I saw Wayne’s situation, it seemed to me that any ordinary wheelchair would be inadequate. Wayne once had a chair that held her in a sitting position, but she has outgrown that chair. Not having any medical knowledge, I can only wonder about what might give Wayne comfort or even provide treatment to change her condition.

Since I returned to America in early August, Wayne has been my priority as I seek to connect with people who would consider and respond to her needs. This website is one effort to expand that exploration. Where this search will eventually take us, I have no idea. My only interest is that Wayne and her family will somehow benefit substantially.

How can you help?

1. We need to find connections to caring experts whose training and experience permit them to make informed assessments of Wayne’s need and prospects. Please write to me at retpas@earthlink.net.
2. When and if those connections are made and possibilities have developed, we will need funds to fulfill those promises. The amounts may be substantial.
3. Wayne’s family needs support now merely to provide the level of care and medication required to control Wayne’s seizures that are increasing the distortion of her body. CCIPZim (see link above) will gladly receive contributions.
4. Your prayers and continued interest by checking this website regularly will give us added support for continuing this search.
   
   

Wayne on her mat