In August 2017, an NTV crew visited a home in Gwafu village in Myanzi Sub County in Mubende district. The home had been abandoned by both parents and six children had been left to fend for themselves. Though 19-year-old Avian Akankwansa was the oldest of the children she could not take care of her siblings because of a severe disability caused by Cerebral Pulse. Instead, the responsibility of taking care of the family had fallen on 14-year-old Brian Kumisiriza Avian’s younger brother. When I met their father Byamukama Tumwesigye, he blamed his wife Lilian Maniragaba for causing the family to break up. “We had misunderstandings with their mother and she left.” Said, Byamukama Tumwesigye – Avian Akankwasa’s Father.

After the story run, many NTV viewers and fans contributed towards the wellbeing of the family while others got Avian admitted to Katalemwa Sheshia Home for Physiotherapy and later paid for a specialized wheelchair. We recently returned to Mubende to check on Avian’s condition. We found her getting round in her new wheelchair and being taken care of by a woman we later learned was her mother. Akankwasa looked to be in a good condition.

Her mother explained to me why she had abandoned her children. “One night he chased me, I fell down and broke my arm and leg but continued to chase me.” Said, Lilian Maniragaba – Avian Akankwansa’s Mother. Maniragaba said her husband beat her and broke two of her limbs but refused to pay for her treatment. “He refused to pay for my treatment, I couldn’t allow dying from here yet I have a family.” When Avian’s story run on TV she felt compelled to come back home and take care of her children. “The news got to my home area, my relatives advised me to go back and take care of my children.” However, since her return, there has not been any communication from her husband Byamukama who had since abandoned the family again. “He said that he could not even pay for their school fees.”

For Avian, the absence of her father is not an issue, now that her mother is back in her life. “I don’t want my father because he doesn’t care about us.” She is very grateful for the support she got from the people who came to her aid after her story of plight run on NTV. “I received everything you sent me and I was very delighted.” Said, Avian Akankwansa – Has Cerebral Palsy. Avian even hoped that she might get a chance to go to school but her mother claimed that she couldn't afford to pay school fees for her and her siblings. “I want them to go to school but I can’t afford to pay for all of them.”

Avian Akankwansa would love to have a TV screen and a solar panel to power it so that she can have something to keep her occupied while other family members are away looking for food. Meanwhile, Avian’s brother was recently recognized for taking care of his sister. He spent a weekend on Ngamba Island on Lake Victoria where he was being celebrated by Native Travel Festive Organization for his hard work and sacrifice. “So we really celebrate him, later we are going to put a small box for him anybody who wants to contribute something please kindly just contribute to him.”