Okecha

Okecha (Okay-Cha) is hard to miss. He is about 10-years-old and the size of a 5 or 6-year old. His rib cage is pushed extremely far out in both the front and back. His back is hunched and he walks very stiffly. When you touch his chest, you can feel his heart beating just under his skin. But besides just his physical appearance, I was drawn to Okecha right away. He is always one of the most eager to hold our hands, walk with us and to smile and wave as we pull into Masese. Okecha comes to eat lunch along with the 450 other children we serve each week, and I look forward to seeing him each time.
Last Wednesday, after dropping beans off and a visit with the kids of Masese, I decided to ask Okecha's grandparents if I could take him to town. I explained that I wanted to take him to the international clinic to see if there was anything that can be done for him. The grandmother agreed.
Okecha doesn't have any "smart" clothes, so on the way to pick him up, I stopped at the market and bought him some new clothes. When I pulled into Masese on my piki the children all ran to show me to Okecha's mud hut. He came out, beaming and his grandmother told me he was ready to go. He was filthy, wearing dirty ripped clothes and no shoes. I would have gladly taken him like that, but I wanted him to feel proud and respected in town. It is enough to be crippled here, and I wanted him to feel special. I handed him his new clothes (nike shorts and a jersey-like top). He put them on and we headed out...bare feet and all. The children cheered as Okecha and I pulled away on our piki. Okecha held my hands the whole ride to town. He was nervous at the clinic, and clearly had never been to a doctor's office before. He speaks no English and was too shy to say anything even to the doctor. Luckily Okecha was intrigued by all of the medical tools and warmed up when the doctor let him play with them. The doctor explained that Okecha's ribs aren't properly covering his heart, leaving his heart only protected by skin. He was born like that, and any surgeries would be very difficult to get here. Okecha was also found to be extremely malnourished. The doctor asked me about his history and I explained that Okecha's mother abandoned him when she found out he was different. He had been starving until a kind woman found him and luckily placed him with his grandparents. I explained that the grandparents appeared very healthy, as well as the others who are living with Okecha. The doctor and I had a discussion about how Okecha might not be given the same treatment as other children in his home. He is considered crippled and handicapped and people are unkind to those who aren't as "useful" around the village. I knew this though...I had seen it the previous weeks with his peers. The few children who speak English tease Okecha by telling me he is good at football and a fast runner. Okecha isn't able to run very well, and by the kids' laughter I know they are only making fun of him. Tears spilled down my cheeks as I watched this sweet boy giggling at the fact that he figured out how to turn on a flashlight. I valued him from the second I saw him, and I got really emotional thinking that people could be unkind to him to the point of neglecting him, in addition to all he has endured. The doctor prescribed some creams for various fungus and rash-like things on Okecha's body and told me the best bet would be to help Okecha grow strong.
After leaving the clinic, I took Okecha to lunch. He had his first cold drink, chicken and chips (he didn't like the chips!). He pointed at every car that went by and exclaimed excitedly in Luganda things I couldn't understand. After lunch, we held hands and walked down main street. Okecha picked out some shoes and wore them out of the shop. He chose pineapple and orange juices and calcium biscuits to bring home, along with a lollipop for right then. At the market we bought beans, rice, and g-nuts for his grandma to use for him. We put them all in a big bag along with some books I had chosen for him and headed back to Masese. When we returned, the kids came running and cheered for Okecha. My heart was bursting for him as I saw the kids admiring his shoes and smart clothes. If nothing else, if Okecha doesn't ever exceed 70 pounds, if his family doesn't treat him equally, if he is never as good at soccer as the others his age, then at least he can remember that moment when the kids cheered for him and that he was chosen to spend a day in town. I just hope to portray that I love Okecha despite his differences and they should too!
Lunch went really well on Thursday and I am happy to say that when I walked up to serve food, the children ran to show me Okecha. He is a celebrity now in Masese! We served the usual beans and chapati but added home-made peanut butter for extra protein and carrot, pineapple orange juice made by us.