A Grandmother's Love: How Jaja Daniel Refused to Give Up on Her Grandson with a Disability
- Bella Smiles For Developmental Disabilities
- Jul 13
- 3 min read
Some stories deserve to be told because they remind us of the quiet strength found in ordinary people.
This is the story of Jaja Daniel, a grandmother who has devoted more than thirteen years to caring for her grandson, Daniel, a child with developmental disabilities and a long time beneficiary of Bella Smiles for Development Disabilities.
Meet Jaja Daniel(Daniel’s grandmother). During the recent Bella Smiles community outreach in Katosi, she shared the journey she and Daniel have walked together.
A Baby Left in His Grandmother's Care
Daniel was only three months old when his young parents, both still in school, left him with his grandmother after becoming overwhelmed by the responsibility of raising a child with health challenges. Jaja Daniel chose love over abandonment and became Daniel's full-time caregiver.
Growing Through Pain
As Daniel grew, severe malaria affected his development. Hospital visits later confirmed that he had a permanent developmental disability affecting his brain. Jaja Daniel accepted the diagnosis and continued caring for him with patience, love and determination despite many financial challenges.
Years of Faithful Care
For more than thirteen years, Daniel has remained part of the Bella Smiles for Development Disabilities family. Bella Smiles for DD has continued visiting, encouraging and supporting him whenever resources have allowed. Jaja Daniel has carried the daily responsibility of feeding, bathing, comforting and protecting him.
When Their Home Was Lost
While caring for her elderly mother in the village, Jaja Daniel later returned to Katosi only to discover that her house had collapsed. With no safe home to return to, she and Daniel could no longer live on their land. Today they temporarily stay with relatives in the village while hoping to rebuild a home in Katosi.
Why Daniel Is Not in These Photographs
Readers may notice that Daniel does not appear in the photographs from this outreach visit. At the time Bella Smiles for DD visited Katosi, Jaja Daniel had travelled alone to sell the handmade mats she had woven in order to earn money for food and daily necessities. Because the family currently has no safe house in Katosi, Daniel remained in the village under the care of relatives where they are temporarily staying. Jaja Daniel planned to return to him after completing her sales. The Bella Smiles for DD team therefore met only Jaja Daniel during this visit, while Daniel remained safely in the village.
Hope for Tomorrow
Jaja Daniel dreams of rebuilding a modest home on her land so that she and Daniel can return to Katosi and live together again. She also hopes to expand her mat-making business, giving her a reliable income to provide food, care and dignity for her grandson.
Bella Smiles Continues to Stand Beside This Family
Bella Smiles for Development Disabilities remains committed to walking alongside Daniel and Jaja Daniel. The organization would like to help strengthen Jaja Daniel's livelihood, support the rebuilding of a safe home and continue providing encouragement to the family. Achieving these goals will require partners, donors and compassionate individuals who believe that every child with a developmental disability deserves the opportunity to thrive.
How You Can Help
Your support can help restore safe shelter, strengthen Jaja Daniel's small business and improve Daniel's quality of life. Together, we can ensure that caregivers are not left to carry these challenges alone and that children living with developmental disabilities are surrounded by dignity, inclusion and hope.