Education for children with disabilities, Kenya

In this report, we focus on the special education unit in Mitaboni, which Advantage Africa helps to sustain and where we have seen encouraging developments in recent months. These are exemplified by the experiences of Marci and Jeremiah, described below, and reflect the progress being made by children and young people with disabilities as they benefit from classroom learning and ultimately move towards greater independence and new opportunities in adulthood.

Marci's Progress from Immobility to Mainstream Education

When we last featured Marci, she was attending Mitaboni School but facing very significant mobility challenges. Without a wheelchair, she had to rely on crawling or being carried in order to move around, which made it extremely undignified and difficult for her to access classrooms and participate fully in school life. She was initially placed in the special unit, where boarding facilities helped reduce the barrier of daily transport and enabled her to remain in education.

Thanks to your support, Advantage Africa was able to initiate improvements, including providing Marci with a properly fitted wheelchair, giving her the mobility, comfort and independence she previously lacked. This has enabled her to attend school more consistently, move around with dignity, and take a far more active role in her learning and daily school activities.

We are delighted to report that Marci is now thriving. Recent photographs show her back at school, confidently using her wheelchair and fully engaged in learning. Most significantly, she has successfully moved from the special unit into a mainstream class.

Her teachers recognised that Marci is a bright and capable learner who would benefit from the appropriate level of teaching available in a mainstream setting. She has settled in well, is enjoying learning alongside her peers, and continues to make excellent progress. Her journey is a powerful reminder that disability should never be a barrier to education when the right support is in place.

Jeremiah's Successful Transition to Adult Life

Jeremiah, aged 20, who also attended Mitaboni Special Unit, has recently completed his planned transition from school into adulthood. Working closely with his single mother and three siblings, his teacher, Ben Mutuku, helped develop a transition plan that would enable Jeremiah to build on the skills he had gained at school, overcome barriers associated with his intellectual disabilities, and lead a more independent and meaningful life at home.

With support from Advantage Africa, Jeremiah was provided with a cow and materials for an animal shed to start a small livestock project. The project was carefully chosen to match his abilities, interests and family circumstances, providing him with both responsibility and a source of future income.

During a recent follow-up visit, Jeremiah proudly showed visitors the cow that he now cares for each day. His family report that he has grown in confidence and independence since leaving school and plays an active role in household life. The project has given him purpose and helped ensure that his transition from education has been a positive and successful one.

Marci and Jeremiah's stories are just two of the many learners whose lives are being transformed with your support. From helping children access the education they deserve to supporting young adults to build independent futures, together we are creating opportunities that have a lasting and far-reaching impact.