Perpetua’s Story: A Diagnosis, A Beginning, and a Path Forward
Perpetua Kisandu Machia is four years old, and her smile is the first thing you notice—bright, open, and full of life.
She is a student at Far Vision Nursery School in Chibe, Tanzania, an initiative of Amigos Internacionales through Missionpoints. It is here, in the rhythms of daily learning and care, that her story began to come more fully into view.
Perpetua lives with her grandmother. Her mother left when she was very young and later remarried, leaving her in the care of family. Since early childhood, she has struggled with frequent illness. Without access to consistent medical care, her grandmother did what she could—often relying on traditional herbs or local remedies each time Perpetua became sick.
When Perpetua joined school, her teachers quickly noticed something was not right. She was often unwell, unable to fully participate, her small body carrying more than it should.
Her teacher, Madam Lydia, chose to act.
This week, she brought Perpetua to a government hospital for a full medical examination. After careful testing, doctors diagnosed her with sickle cell disease—a genetic blood disorder that affects hemoglobin, limiting the body’s ability to carry oxygen effectively and often causing chronic pain, fatigue, and increased risk of infection.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sickle cell disease affects millions of people worldwide and requires lifelong management, including regular medical care, medication, and monitoring. Without proper treatment, complications can become severe, particularly for young children.
The World Health Organization also emphasizes that early diagnosis and consistent care are critical. With appropriate treatment, many children with sickle cell disease can live longer, healthier lives—something that remains out of reach for many in low-resource settings.
For Perpetua, this diagnosis brings both clarity and urgency.
I visited her home shortly after to speak with her grandmother—to listen, to understand, and to encourage consistent medical follow-up. These conversations matter. A diagnosis alone does not change a life; access to ongoing care, understanding, and support does.
And yet, what remains most striking is not the diagnosis.
It is Perpetua herself.
She is gentle. Attentive. Bright.
When I asked her if she enjoys school, she smiled and said, “Yes.”
That simple answer carries quiet strength. It reminds us that even in the midst of hardship, there is hope—and a future waiting to be nurtured.
At Far Vision Nursery School, learning is not only academic. It is relational. It is attentive. It is where children are seen—not just for what they lack, but for who they are becoming.
Perpetua’s story is still being written.
Through continued medical care, community support, and access to education, she now has a pathway forward. Amigos Internacionales, through its Missionpoint initiatives, remains committed to walking alongside children like Perpetua—ensuring that care is not a moment, but a sustained presence.
To learn more about how Missionpoints supports children through education and medical outreach, visit:
👉 Amigos Internacionales
Because every child deserves more than survival.
Every child deserves the opportunity to flourish.
A Way to Walk With Her
Perpetua’s story is still unfolding—and she is not alone.
Through Missionpoints, children like Perpetua are seen, cared for, and supported not only in moments of need, but through ongoing relationship and presence. Medical care, education, and community support are all part of what allows a child like her to move forward with dignity and hope.
If you feel led to be part of this work, there are simple ways to walk alongside her:
- Pray for Perpetua’s health, strength, and continued joy in learning
- Give to support medical care and education for children in Missionpoint communities
- Share her story so that more people understand and participate in this work
Your support helps ensure that children are not overlooked, that diagnoses lead to care, and that stories like Perpetua’s continue with possibility.
Categories
Social Media
Free Medical Camps in Burundi: What Happens When a Doctor Walks Into Gisuru | Amigos Internacionales
