‘I adore her now’: Mother learns to cope with child’s autism in a country with little help

‘I adore her now’: Mother learns to cope with child’s autism in a country with little help

A journey from despair to hope in Malawi

Today, Martha Ongwane gazes with affection at her lively four-year-old daughter, a stark contrast to the emotional turmoil she once faced. Two years ago, she stood on the brink of giving up her child, overwhelmed by her non-verbal, restless behavior and the stigma surrounding autism in Malawi.

Rachael, who was diagnosed with autism, had become a source of despair for Martha. The girl’s biting tendencies and inability to sit still left her feeling isolated and burdened. Neighbors, blaming her for Rachael’s actions, urged her to lock the child away, offering no support or understanding of the condition.

“I told myself it would be better if she died because that would mean she would rest and that would be the end of our problems,” Martha recalls. “But my heart didn’t let me. I changed my mind and cried so much.”

Now, in the home they share in Mzuzu, northern Malawi, the pair share a quiet, loving moment. Rachael clings to Martha’s lap as she laughs, her hands reaching to touch her mother’s face. Martha, 33, prepares nsima—a thick maize porridge—for lunch, her demeanor transformed by the care she’s received.

The family’s turning point came through access to specialized services at Mzuzu Central Hospital. There, Rachael was connected to Saint John of God, a Catholic-run organization that supports children with developmental disabilities. It provides both mental health care and an inclusive school for those with special needs, becoming a critical resource for Martha and her husband.

Martha and her spouse also began counseling sessions, which helped them build a support network. Educators and professionals now assist in managing Rachael’s challenges, offering relief from the isolation they once endured. However, this progress is rare. According to the World Health Organization, over 60 million people globally are on the autism spectrum, yet many remain unnoticed in places like Malawi.

In Malawi, autism is often misunderstood. The condition is known as “ozelezeka” in Chichewa, meaning someone with mental challenges, or “ofuntha,” implying a troublesome nature. Limited resources exacerbate the problem—only two developmental pediatricians serve a population of more than 22 million, and three consultant psychiatrists.

Christopher Mhone, who works with Saint John of God, highlights the cultural barriers. “For a woman to feel like she should kill her child, as a nation we have failed her,” he says. “Her burden has become so impossible to bear that she lacks the strength to cope.”

The organization tackles these misconceptions through community workshops. In a nearby center, Christian and Muslim leaders gather on green plastic chairs to discuss autism. Some still attribute it to witchcraft, believing magic can affect pregnant women. Mhone uses these sessions to challenge such beliefs, emphasizing that practical interventions can ease symptoms and foster acceptance.