Di Prima Burns credits “overwhelming community support’’ for helping her family meet Sibo’s needs. “That e-mail had circulated for six weeks before I saw it, so I knew Sibo’s window of opportunity was closing,’’ she said. “We jumped in, and a whole lot of people jumped in with us.’’
At Concord Middle School this spring, students walked Sibo to class and the bus. Volunteers translated until he learned English, drove him to doctor visits when Renée and David were working, and created a schedule so he would always have a visitor at the hospital. Another friend set up a video chat for Sibo’s late-night talks with the Burns family from the hospital and virtual visits with their dogs, Colby and Jackson. Soon additional volunteers will be tutoring Sibo, and give him the swimming lessons he has been requesting.
The Burns family is appreciating each day with Sibo until he receives clearance to return to his farming village, which does not have electricity or running water. They hope to accompany him home for the holidays, and meet his mother and 6-year-old brother, Hinge; he and Sibo speak on the telephone every Sunday.
Di Prima Burns said she and her husband will contribute to the siblings’ educations.
Meanwhile, Dr. Sara Stulac, a Concord native who diagnosed Sibo and began his treatment while in Rwanda with Partners In Health, an international relief agency, has become a regular visitor since she moved back to Massachusetts in June.
“Sibo is genuinely part of our family, but he has been a gift to everyone who meets him,’’ Di Prima Burns said. “He has this gigantic smile and infectious giggle, and you just want more.’’
For information about serving as a host for Partners In Health, visit www.pih.org. For more on Sibo’s journey, visit the Friends of Sibo page on Facebook.
MUSIC EXCHANGE: In his native Kenya, Berklee College of Music staff member Sam Lutomia of Framingham says, opportunities for professional musicians are lacking outside of teaching. He notes that only two universities in the country of nearly 40 million people offer a bachelor’s degree in music.
