By Alex Gahima
The Head teacher of Kisoro Teacher Training College (TTC) Demonstration Primary School Stephen Habiyaremye has called upon communities in Kisoro to help identify the parents of an eight year old pupil, who was allegedly abandoned in Mutolere tea plantations back in 2021, during the lockdown.
Habiyaremye says, the child who was discovered by a Good Samaritan in the tea plantation was taken to Kisoro hospital after he was found with some injuries to his head.
“The child could not speak and was not trained in signing therefore it was quite difficult to communicate with him and it even became more complicated to trace his origins, Habiyaremye said.
He says, together with a school matron, the medical social worker at Kisoro Hospital, the child was given the name, Yoshua Irahari.
Habiyaremye explains that Yoshua is currently in Primary two and has interest in learning and playing. He particularly enjoys feeding the school heifer.
According to the head teacher, Yoshua could have suffered some internal bleeding in his head as a result of the injuries sustained.
He also suffers from episodes of epilepsy which are managed by medicine from Kisoro Hospital.
“As a school, we have no interest in taking all legal action against the parents who abandoned this child, all we want is to establish a relationship with them because the child cannot live at school for the rest of his life, Habiyaremye explained.
Yoshua’s story has attracted public attention after Kisoro Municipality Principal education officer Gerrard Nkurikiy’Imana posted his story in whatsup groups, keenly followed by Kisoro leaders and influencers.
Conflicting Accounts Arise, Yoshua identified as Mayibobo
The Kisoro Hospital Administrator Benjamin Akankwasa says, he vividly remembers Yoshua’s case adding that he closely monitored his progress, for the months he was admitted at the hospital.
Akankwasa, says when the minor was brought to Kisoro Hospital, he was serving in the capacity of medical social worker.
According to Akankwasa, the tale of a child being discovered in Mutolere tea Plantation is inaccurate.
“The child was among other street children (Mayibobo) in Kisoro town, who like to jump on moving trucks. Unfortunately on that fateful day, the child was riding on a truck near Africano’s shop when he lost control, falling to the ground, leading to his head injuries, Akankwasa explained.
The child was brought to the hospital in an unconscious state.
Pediatrician at Kisoro Hospital Dr. Benon K. Rukunda handled the minor’s case.
Akankwasa says, they considered sending the child to Mbarara regional referral hospital to access a neurosurgeon however after further investigations, the child’s conditions were pre-existing.
Akankwasa says, the child could have been abandoned by the parents after learning that he had intellectual disabilities.
“We would the communities to help us identify the parents of Yoshua, because with good management, the child still has a bright future ahead of him, Akankwasa explained.
If you have any information about the child and his family, please contact the following;
Stephen Habiyaremye H/T Kisoro Demon. P.S 0789-261811
Benjamin Akankwasa Kisoro Hospital Admin 0772-557162
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