In October 1994, a child was born in Dar es Salaam Tanzania, being a third of three daughters. The mother, like many others in the developing countries, did not know, neither had she heard anything known as Down syndrome. Five months on, she noticed that the child’s development was not what she expected to be.

The mother went to Muhimbili hospital in Dar, ‘Makuti’. While there, a doctor, whom she already knew from School days, passed by and said, ‘’Can’t you see that your child is Down Syndrome?’’. At that time there was no way I could search online for the meaning of that word neither was there any information or counselling.

As the case is in most African countries, the community thought it is curse, or a punishment from God or gods and there- fore I am being punished. Now I realize it is not about curse or punishment as It happens to all, regardless of economic, social class, race or religion. Though it is most common among those who are aged 35 and above, but there are many cases where young mothers as young as 22 have Down Syndrome children. Worldwide 1 in every 800 births, one is Down Syndrome. That child is non-other than Penny Aika Pettit, who went to own inclusive private school and finished Class seven in 2008 without knowing how to read and write. She only knew few numbers and letters.