Cherif Yaya Mohammadou, 11 years old suffers from autism with hyperactivity. His second follower, Yakoubou, 9 years, developed a similar problem when he was born. Cherif’s mother has accepted the conditions of her two children and is doing everything within her power to ensure that her kids are comfortable.

When Cherif’s mother noticed that Cherif had a problem at two years, her mother, (Cherif’s grand mother) recommended she took her son to a traditional healer and after many attempts to treat, they didn’t succeed. Also, when she had Yakoubou (Cherif’s second follower), at 5 months, she also noticed he had similar traits. When she visited a traditional healer again upon another recommendation, the traditional healer said it was a mystical ailment beyond treatment. It is a common phenomenon in some communities to associate disability to witchcraft and that is why most often some parents seek the advice of herbalist who finally attribute the condition to mystery and witchcraft.

Before, neigbors used to beat Cherif because of his aggressive nature which they didn’t understand was natural with his condition. Most often the community didn’t respect the mother because of her sons’ condition. Across time, constant education has caused behaviour change and people are becoming more welcoming. The woman’s main concern is that Cherif is growing faster and his younger brother Yakoubou is also having his condition. She does not know if the children will come out of their condition well to be self sustainable.

Family Situation

The children have been growing up with their mother. With financial support of 114,000 FCFA from the EDID program via Partner Organization (PO), APESH and her uncle’s support with 30,000frs, she was able to set up a small business of selling Muslim veils and small items at a local market. At the time of this report, Cherif’s mother was two months into a local ‘njangi’ (a social financial scheme) which she hopes will enable her raise more funds to provide for her four kids. Cherif loves sweepping around the yard while his younger brother Yakoubou loves playing with the cats in their compound.

Glimmer of Hope

The EDID program via her partner organization, APESH in Yaounde stepped in to give hope to this family. Since 2023, the EDID program has been paying the school fees for Cherif and his younger brother, Yakoubou Alhadji born on November 7, 2019 who also has autism, to the tune of 400,000 FCFA. This support comes as part of a specific project Child Empowerment Program funded by the Liliane Foundation through the EDID program.

Contribution of the Partner Organization

APESH has through counselling made Cherif’s mother to sensitize neighbours on the child’s condition and now, they are gradually accepting her children’s disability. The hyper active Cherif is popularly known in the neigborhdood and many denizens who identify him guide him when he is seen on the street. Cherif and his younger brother are invited for birthday parties and outing events organised by the Delegation of Social Affairs for Yaounde 1, and this has enabled them socialise with other children with his condition. Also, through PO assistance, the child’s mother, Soreya Mohamadou has sent the child to enrol in Quran classes which has helped the child stay busy during the holiday periods.

Education

Cherif and Yakoubou are both schooling in ESEDA which is a special needs school. Before coming to ESEDA, Cherif started school in Government Primary School Ekoudou but was rejected from the school because of his condition which the school said they didn’t have the capacity to accommodate him. In ESEDA where both siblings now attend school, their school fees is subsidized by 50,000 FCFA, thanks to intervention by the EDID program’s partner organization, APESH.

Leisure and friendships

Regarding leisure, Cherif plays a lot. He loves sweeping the house and cleaning dishes even though he does not do it perfectly, he does it happily. He also loves playing with the elderly women around the neighbourhood especially Tawa Gladys who is his best friend. He feels very happy and participates in activities in a more coordinated manner when she is around. He respects her and follows her instructions to carry out activities.

Integration in the community

The children are sometimes bullied and beaten on the street especially by those who don’t know their condition. Other children exclude them in some games like football because they see them as unable. Sometimes, Cherif will want to force himself to participate and that is when the bullying and beatings start. Immediate neigbours are accomodating their disabilities because they now understand. However, the challenge is mostly with people who do not know them given that they live in a cosmopolitan area where there are many new people everyday. They are not allowed to go out of their immediate environment too often to avoid these instances of discrimination. But they are loved by those they encounter on a dily basis.

In school, bullying and discrimination are rare. They are welcomed in every activity since they can now identify with other children with a similar condition. Cherif has no dreams and wishes yet, since he cannot talk by himself. Yet, with support from family, school, and community, Cherif and his younger brother, Yakoubou, are gradually coping with their disability – autism.