Collaboration between PIK partners rescues an assaulted 10 year old boy

Collaboration between PIK partners rescues an assaulted 10-year-old boy Two years ago, ten- year-old Ali (not his real name) was severely burned by his mother for allegedly stealing Ksh. 500 to buy food. The mother is said to have tied the boy’s hands, wrapped them in cotton wool and poured paraffin before setting his hands ablaze. After some time, she tried to pour water on the boy’s burning hands in an attempt to salvage what had remained but the damage had already been done.

Community members reported the incident to Sauti ya Wanawake-Pwani (simply known as Sauti, a Peace Initiative Kenya (PIK) partner that advocates for women and children’s rights in the Coastal region. Sauti tried to assist the boy get treatment at local hospitals but the A child displays a placard against child abuse during bills were prohibitive. One of the local hospitals quoted the National Launch of 2014-16 days of activism GBV Ksh. 750,000 to enable the boy undergo a corrective surgery for both hands. Such an amount was way out of reach not just for the boy but also for the community well-wishers who wished to save Ali. Sauti brought the case to the attention of one of PIK project partner HealthCare Assistance Kenya (HAK) that runs a toll free Gender Based Violence helpline 1195. HAK’s Executive Director Fanis Lisiagali together with her team of Tele-Counselors took over the matter and involved the largest government hospital at the Coast (Cost General Hospital) to come to the rescue of the boy. “We talked to the hospital’s Chief Administrator – Dr. Mwero who involved a social worker to carry out a study on Ali’s case,” says Fanis.

The study recommended that Ali should undergo reconstructive surgeries for both hands. Further consultation between HAK, Sauti and the hospital’s Chief Administrator – Dr. Mwero led to the waiver of Ali’s hospital bill for the reconstructive surgeries on humanitarian grounds.

“The first reconstructive surgery for one hand was done in 2014. Unfortunately, the hospital could not perform corrective surgery on both hands due to the many hours one procedure takes. The second surgery is also determined by the healing progress of the initial procedure which takes time,” says Fanis.

The boy’s mother was arrested, tried and convicted. She was serving her term at Shimo La Tewa Prison in Mombasa County but passed on before completing her jail term.

Ali has since moved from a safe home to one of his uncle’s house following the death of his mother. His second reconstructive surgery been coordinated by HAK, Sauti and Coast General Hospital has been scheduled for December 2015.