At Joni’s House Rihanna Received Complete, Christ-Centered Care
Meet Rihanna… As a baby, Rihanna had a severe illness that resulted in brain damage and permanently affected her balance, limbs, and her ability to speak.
For the first six years of her life, she couldn’t stand on her own, let alone walk.
Living in Uganda, Rihanna and her family suffered from isolation and discrimination because of her disability.
Anthony, our Joni’s House Uganda Program Manager described the difficulty people with disabilities often deal with in his community:
“People with disabilities in Uganda are equated to village dogs. They are locked up in back rooms—tied up in kitchens in the back of their homes and hidden from guests. Their families tolerate them when no one else is around, but when people they value come around, the person with disabilities is pushed away.”
But through Joni’s House Uganda, Rihanna’s prospects began to change. Through Joni’s house, Rihanna is receiving the physical and occupational therapy she needs… and it is paying off! At the age of six, Rihanna gained the strength and balance to stand up on her own for the first time, and begun to walk without assistance!
Rihanna isn’t the only person whose life has changed because of Joni’s House.
As Anthony says: “Joni’s House Uganda shows the love of Christ to people with disabilities. Through Joni’s House people are elevated from being seen as nobodies—forgotten people stashed away in back bedrooms—to being seen as our brothers and sisters.”
As Anthony says: “Joni’s House Uganda shows the love of Christ to people with disabilities. Through Joni’s House people are elevated from being seen as nobodies—forgotten people stashed away in back bedrooms—to being seen as our brothers and sisters.”
At Joni’s House people with disabilities receive complete, Christ-centered care: physical and occupational therapies, home renovations, mobility equipment, food, medical attention, and life skill training.
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”
Matthew 25:40
When people come to Joni’s House, too often, Anthony says: “They are malnourished and emaciated. And their living conditions are inadequate. They are seen as second-class citizens, but now—because of Joni’s House—they can see themselves as valued and appreciated.
Joni’s House helps our community think differently. And the families living with disability ask us, ‘Why are you doing this for me? Why do you love us so much?’ And that’s when we get to tell them about Christ our King.”
From Uganda to El Salvador, and in locations throughout the globe, Joni’s House is elevating the levels of care and access for people living with disabilities. Beyond just meeting physical needs, Joni’s House brings people with disabilities into the body of Christ—providing a place of belonging, acceptance and love.
You can provide Gospel love and hands on care to children like Rihanna across the globe!
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