By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Humans of AfricaHumans of AfricaHumans of Africa
  • Home
  • Stories
  • About
Search
© 2023 | Humans of Africa
Aa
Humans of AfricaHumans of Africa
Aa
Search
  • Home
  • Stories
  • About
Follow US
© 2023 | Humans of Africa
Stories

‘I was accused of using my son for money rituals because he has Down’s Syndrome’

By Akorfa Searyoh Published November 20, 2020
4 Min Read
Magreth and her son with Down's syndrome
Magreth and her son
SHARE

Being the mother of a child with Down’s Syndrome in Tanzania is not easy. 

A woman named Magreth shares her story of her experience raising a child with Down’s Syndrome in her country.

“When he was born, I was not comfortable to go to the streets or public areas with my son because some people were looking at me as if I’m a sinful person.”

“Some of my neighbours and relatives know, but others judge us and say that we have used our son for money rituals so that we can be rich.”

In Tanzania, you can go to a witch doctor and ask them to cast a spell  for something you want like money or power. The witch doctor will ask you for a sacrifice. So you could ask the witch doctor to make you rich and sacrifice your own child’s mental capabilities. That’s what people who don’t know parents with children with Down Syndrome think they have done.

Though, that’s mostly never the case.

“It’s a belief in Africa, if you have a family member like my son, Jotham.”

“I remember one day I was in my compound feeding my baby and I received a text message. It was a message from one of my clients and in that message she wrote: ‘Shame on you people! You have used your son for money rituals so that you can become rich. I don’t know why she would say that but that was the worst thing I’ve ever experienced. I couldn’t even continue to feed my baby. I just put Jotham down and asked my younger sister to help me feed him. 

I was shedding tears when she asked me what was wrong. I just told her I needed to be alone.”

“I went to the room and I remember I cried a lot. So I called, my husband and I told him, someone has to know.”

The text message she received did forever change her life.

“Back then, when Jotham was born when we went to the park, you could see some people staring; they had a way they looked at us. If you are in a car in public, that will give them the belief that you have used your son for money rituals.”

“I came to realise this is my situation and I have to bear it. I am happy with the way my son is. And because of that, I can go anywhere with my baby. I don’t care how many or what looks I get from outsiders.”

Like Magaret, there are mothers who are hiding their children with Down Syndrome away from the glare of the misunderstanding communities of Tanzania. But the misconception about Down’s Syndrome is widespread; even mothers-to-be are uninformed on the subject.

“When I gave birth I didn’t know anything about Down’s Syndrome, not anything…I feel like no one was ever there, like no one knew about it. But there are so many out there with Down’s Syndrome. Now I want to know about other women out there, to talk about if this has happened to them.”

TAGGED: Children, Down's Syndrome, Tanzania

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Be keep up! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.
[mc4wp_form]
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Akorfa Searyoh November 20, 2020 November 20, 2020
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Flipboard Whatsapp Whatsapp Reddit Telegram Email
Previous Article Francis Ngannou worked in a sand quarry when he was a little boy Francis Ngannou: ‘Being homeless in Paris was a great opportunity for me’
Next Article Ambroise Bertin: ‘First we were enslaved. Then we were poisoned’
Leave a comment Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Most Popular

Ricci Ossei - Humans of Africa
Ricci Osei: A cultural and artistic icon
Stories August 25, 2019
John Obidi: From unemployed youth to fast-rising African entrepreneur
Stories May 20, 2019
‘People thought they knew the story’: the rise and fall of Milli Vanilli
Stories June 17, 2023
Raised by two troubling fathers – Monica Macias
Stories August 24, 2020
Segilola Grey is an elderly woman who models in Nigeria at the age of 72 years old
Old age has nothing on the 72-year-old Nigerian model, Segilola Grey
Stories September 9, 2020
Omar Mohamed: ‘Waiting 23 years to see my mum’
Stories July 30, 2020
Have you met the most stylish man in Africa?
Stories August 2, 2020
Angolan music legend Bonga Kuenda fought for freedom through music
Bonga Kuenda: Making music for Angola’s freedom
Stories August 31, 2020
At 91, Don King still longs for the spotlight. But it is shining elsewhere
Stories June 21, 2023
Ernest Nkwocha art work sculpting with tyres
Ernest Nkwocha: The tyre sculptor of Lagos aims to be Nigeria’s legendary artist
Stories September 6, 2020
Follow US
© 2023 | Humans of Africa
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?