Improving Lives of Youth with Disabilities, Kenya

Organisation meeting of Ngei High School Chapter

“On doubt that a small group of committed individuals can change the world, indeed it’s the only way it has ever happened.”Margaret Mead, Anthropologist

On 10th January 20, just one week after school vacation, members of Ngei High School Chapter of Best Bubbies gathered for their organization meeting. The meeting took place in one of the Ngei High School’s classrooms. It was a successful l meeting with a lively interchange between the 30 peer buddies from Ngei High School and the 30  buddies from Mathare special School. Four associate buddies were also present at the meeting

Every chapter of Best Buddies Kenya is required to have an organizational meeting once a year. Organization meetings serve many purposes, including:

Socializing and Sharing Personal Storing and Mutual Experiences

Ngei  meeting happened so soon after the Christmas holidays, the attendees had many exciting stories to share about what they did while on vacation.

Reflecting On the Personal Impact of the Best Buddies Program

During the Ngei meeting, the chapter president introduced peer buddy, Fredrick Juma  and his buddy, Vincent Otieno.. The pear expressed how meaningful their mutual friendship has become and how much enjoyment and fun their friendship has generated for themselves, their immediate families and their local community. Both expressed confidence that the chapter would be a beacon of friendship and integration for people with and without intellectual disabilities.

Emphasizing the Commitment Needed When Joining a Chapter

During the meeting, the Ngei  High School chapter president reminded his fellow peer buddies about the policies and procedures of Best Buddies and that: (1)pear Buddy agrees to be paired for one academic  year, (2) make contact once a week either  in  person, by email, phone or mail; (3) have two one-to-one activities per month ;(4) attend all chapter meetings and group activities throughout the school year; (5) student can join as peer buddies or associate members agree to attend chapter meetings and group activities, but are not matched in a one-to one friendship. Associate members can also join committees to help plan activities or fundraisers.

Explaining the importance of the Best Buddies High School Chapters

The Ngei  meeting was attended by the executive Director of Best Buddies Kenya.  In his address to the peer buddies and buddies, he explained that Best Buddies fulfill its mission in High Schools by facilitating mutually enriching one-to –one friendship between high school students and their peer in a special schools.The Director expressed many thanks to all the donors who have contributed through globalgiving for making everything for BBK a great success