Education for children with disabilities, Kenya

We are pleased to report that, over recent months, our special education units at Mitaboni and Thinu have managed to start to recover from the educational storm imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The schools continue to develop their curriculums to suit the abilities of over 50 pupils they support. This means a continued shift away from academic ‘learning by rote’, towards skills of daily living which promote independence, and vocational learning which is relevant to the students’ future lives. At Thinu for example, they are practising dexterity and concentration by crafting simple items like paint brushes using natural materials. They have also introduced training in barbering skills, which can be used at home or developed into an income generating opportunity.

Although the two schools are now running as usual, we have seen the lasting effect of COVID-19 lockdowns that mean returning pupil numbers are down, because many families of children with disabilities are still struggling to meet their basic needs and to find the necessary school fees. The dedicated teachers and support staff are doing their best to support families as much as possible, whilst they also navigate their own individual challenges at home. Their commitment and love for the pupils that they wash, dress, feed and educate every day is inspirational, and they always humbly thank Advantage Africa for the much-needed support we are able to provide through this project.