Liberia, Nov. 13 -- Summary:

By Joyclyn Wea, gender correspondent with New Narratives

BASSA TOWN, Gardnersville: Anita watches children in neat uniforms walk to school. Her daughter watches too, but she can't follow them.

For years, Anita has carried the girl from one school gate to another, hoping someone would finally give her daughter a chance to learn, but all refused. Sometimes that makes her cry.

Her daughter has not been clinically diagnosed, but Anita believes she is on the severe end of the autism spectrum. She has difficulty following instructions, frequently flaps her hands, reacts to bright lights, speaks only a few words at a time, often so softly that others struggle to understand.

Despite these challenges, Anita believ...