In the isolated rural areas of South Africa, there’s usually no special treatment for people with mental illnesses. They’re often neglected and labeled as cursed by witches, and possessed by evil spirits. That includes people with the condition called Down Syndrome. But one boy with the condition has risen above the social stigma of being disabled.
South African Boy with Downs Syndrome Triumphs Over Prejudice

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A caregiver helps Sihle to write during a morning school lesson at Ikhaya Loxolo (VOA/ D. Taylor)

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For the first time in his life, Sihle feels he has “real friends” at the home (VOA/ D. Taylor)

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For the first time in his life, Sihle feels he has “real friends” at the home (VOA/ D. Taylor)

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Sihle pages through a coloring-in book (VOA/ D. Taylor)