Fracarita Belgium launches South Action Campaign for youngsters with epilepsy in Africa
On 24 January, Fracarita Belgium presented its new “Zuidactie” campaign for 2017 in Lede, Belgium. This year, Fracarita Belgium is drawing attention to the plight of children and adolescents with epilepsy in Africa.
Fracarita Belgium, the Belgian NGO for development cooperation of the Brothers of Charity, is campaigning for people with epilepsy in the heart of Africa – Rwanda, Burundi, Congo, and Tanzania – this year. This campaign is sorely needed. In Africa, nearly 1 in 67 people has epilepsy, three times more than in Belgium. Seven out of ten people go without any form of treatment in Africa, particularly due to ignorance. Often the condition is not considered a physical problem that can be treated medically, but rather a punishment for an alleged sin people committed.
Still, most people with epilepsy can lead a perfectly normal life. With medication, the seizures can be completely suppressed in most cases. People can work again, study, raise a family... and build a real future! Because epilepsy is a medically treatable condition, nothing more…
The Brothers of Charity have built a dozen centres in the heart of Africa where people with epilepsy get the right diagnosis and proper treatment. The staff of these centres raise awareness among the population and organize training for health workers.
The proceeds of the 2017 South Campaign will be used to raise even more awareness in the region – Rwanda, Burundi, Congo, and Tanzania – and make epilepsy medication more available, including to the poor. Because currently less than 3 in 10 people with epilepsy in Africa are getting the treatment they need.
Support children and adolescents with epilepsy in Africa and make a donation:
*Donations of €40 or more, made in Belgium, are tax-deductible.
Useful links (in Dutch):
Campaign video:
