Fawzia Sappi: A Mother Affected by Polio Who Now Fights Against This Disease

Balkh, Afghanistan – Fawzia Sappi, a 30-year-old mother living in Mazar-i-Sharif, experienced one of the most heartbreaking and painful moments of her life when her son contracted polio.

This misfortune left a deep mark on her, yet it also set her on a new path in life. Today, Fawzia is a prominent social mobilizer for polio vaccination campaigns, spreading health messages to protect other children from the disease.

The Sudden Impact of Polio

Fawzia comes from a traditional family where misconceptions and social restrictions had a significant influence on her life. When she tried to have her child immunized, her mother-in-law didn’t allow it.

Her mother-in-law, along with other elders in the family, believed that the polio vaccine harms children’s health.

"I wanted to vaccinate my child, but my mother-in-law stopped me, saying the vaccine was not good for children," Fawzia recalls

This misconception deprived Fawiza’s child of the polio vaccine. A few months later, her child fell ill, and the signs of polio began to appear. By the time Fawzia realized her mistake, it was all too late.

Beginning the Fight Against Polio

Her son's paralysis from polio deeply wounded Fawzia, and this pain ignited a new mission for her: to protect thousands of other children from the same fate.

Her son's polio-induced disability caused Fawzia immense pain, marking the beginning of her struggle to protect thousands of children.

Having studied midwifery, Fawzia joined the polio vaccination campaigns as a social mobilizer.

She knocked on the door of every home, determined to show people the importance of vaccines.

"My goal was to educate all mothers, showing them how crucial the vaccine is and how it can save children from polio," she said.

Her son's polio-induced disability caused Fawzia immense pain, marking the beginning of her struggle to protect thousands of children

© Polio Free Afghanistan | 2024 | Abdul Saboor Serat

Religious Leaders and Social Change

Fawzia knew that in a society where religious beliefs are held in high regard, gaining the support of scholars was vital. For this reason, she sought the help of local religious scholar Sibghatullah Rohani, who consistently conveyed in his sermons that Islam does not oppose vaccines but rather prioritizes the health of individuals.

Rohani emphasized in his sermons that neither the Quran nor the Hadith suggest any prohibition against vaccination. On the contrary, Islam encourages people to protect their health and prevent diseases.

These messages brought clarity to people's minds, and with the help of scholars like Rohani, Fawzia was able to change the misconceptions of many families.

The Impact of Fawzia's Fight

Today, Fawzia Sappi is a leading figure in raising public awareness about polio in Mazar-i-Sharif.

With great skill and patience, she explains the benefits of vaccines and the dangers of polio to families. "Each time I convince a family to vaccinate their children, I feel we've moved a step closer to eradicating polio," she said.

Conclusion

Fawzia Sappi, having witnessed the devastating effects of polio, is now a champion in the fight against the disease.

This experience not only gave her a new mission but also created opportunities for thousands of children to be vaccinated.

She is now an inspiration to other women in the community who wish fight against the challenges of life and serve their society.

As a mother, Fawzia transformed the pain of her child into a battle, and today, she stands as a beacon of hope in her community.

Abdul Saboor Serat | Balkh