Plight of visually impaired parent of infected child in crisis struck Anglophone Cameroon

Nchendzengang Tatah

From weaving baskets, Menli Micheal who is almost middle age and visually impaired was able to fend for his family.

The family of three with himself inclusive lives in Mile 16 – Buea, South West region of Cameroon.

Micheal says he has been into basket weaving for the past five years. From it, he was able to pay his rent, provide feeding for his family, and meet up to other needs and bills.

The coming of a fourth member into the family – his second child, became the turning point in his seemingly contented household. The beginning of great need.

At birth, the baby was diagnosed with jaundice, a sign of a problem with the liver, gallbladder, or pancreas. Its symptoms include skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow.

In a bit to save the infant who ended up spending eight days in incubation, Menli Micheal ran on his little savings to salvage the situation.

Again, he had to sacrifice his weaving capital to settle hospital bills which he still couldn’t complete payment.

In the face of all these, the visually impaired parent, Micheal has his rents overdued. With an already crumbled business, he owes his landlord over a year of rent.

Though supported by his church and some individuals of goodwill, he is yet to come back to his former state. The baby can now only survive on the hard work and efforts of the mother.

Micheal Menli weathers his storm in a generally hard economic climate as his town like others in Anglophone Cameroon is plagued by an over 7-year sociopolitical conflict, which has caused enormous economic setbacks.

The graduate of the Bulu Blind Center and Bilingual Grammar School Molyko feels the pinch like every other parent but only has his hands to strive with against all odds.