helen weld public health

Manzi Cedric. . .

This is an updated blog on Cedric’s progress that was originally posted in March 2012. It will be used on the GHI website to help roll out a challenge matching fundraising campaign in October 2014.

Many GHI supporters recognize Cedric as a ubiquitous and adorable face on GHI’s printed material, but is everyone familiar with his story?

Despite only being 3 years and 8 months old, Manzi Cedric has an extraordinary life story to date. Over the three years that I have been a volunteer at GHI, I have had the privilege to witness his extraordinary growth and development. He was first introduced at Gikomero Health Center, one of the GHI partners here, in March 2011 when he was 2 months old with severe malnutrition, weighing in at 2.1 kg (4.3lbs.). His history revealed that his mentally challenged mother had given birth to him in a latrine and later abandoned him. The details of the first two months of his life are vague, but apparently a neighbor took care of him and then brought him to the health center. This is when GHI became aware of Cedric’s plight. Since then Cedric has become an integral member of the Gardens for Health family.

Without GHI’s intervention and commitment to take care of him at this crucial time, Cedric would have died. The progression of Cedric’s revitalization is a testament to the diligence of the GHI staff providing good nutrition and overall care. Overwhelming compassion and love have also been key factors in bringing Cedric back from the brink of death. Naomi

Musabyimana, a lead trainer for GHI, committed to being his primary caregiver despite having two young daughters. She has incorporated him into her household since he was just several months old. He comes to work each day with her and everyone at the office helps keep an eye on him. He has received continuous verbal and physical stimulation with a steady flow of loving hugs and kisses too. Cedric’s first steps were within a large circle of enthusiastic GHI team members cheering him on.

At 14 months old Cedric was evaluated at King Faisal Hospital in Kigali to address concerns about physical and cognitive delays as a result of his neonatal malnutrition. The physician was reassuring that Cedric was ‘on his own curve’ and should make giant strides in his development by 2 years old. This has been an accurate prediction, as Cedric is now strong, running around on the farm with other children as “part of the gang”.

Every time I return to GHI, I am thrilled to see his progress. He’s animated, engaged, understands and speaks both Kinyarwanda as well as some English. It’s such a pleasure to be one of his mamas while I am here, his consistent beguiling nature and cheerful soul are perhaps his way of expressing the gratitude for the life which has been given back to him thanks to GHI. I feel honored to be a small part of Cedric’s story.    Helen       

Cedric at 2 months when he first

came to GHI, March 2011

Cedric at 4 months June 2011

Cedric and Aline, 14 months March 2012

Naomi and her family. Ange, Aline

and Cedric May 2013

Cedric and Helen 3 years 7 months
September 2014

Helen Weld RN, MPH has been a volunteer at GHI since October 2011. She is currently with GHI for her 7^th stint. For other stories about her time at GHI see her personal blog: www.hwph.blogspot.com