Help Kenyan children with disabilities into school

The DCC has continued to provide essential and much needed support to children with disabilities at Irindiro Special School in Meru County. The delivery of specially designed horseshoe tables and chairs to the school earlier this year is making a huge difference to the children’s learning and encouraging attendance. The children now have an appropriate learning environment in which to study.

Funds were also available to purchase a kitchen preparation table for the school. The table has been made locally and is being used daily by the school to prepare nutritious meals for the children. This has provided the opportunity for children to have meals together, which enhances the school community, contributing to a more positive and effective educational environment.

HATW will continue to provide support to children with disabilities at Irindiro Special School and Athi Special School. We also plan to expand our work to include other schools in the area and look forward to bringing you more news soon.

These schools aim to provide the much-needed education services and welfare for children with disabilities, children who would otherwise be disregarded by their communities, schools and the education system in Kenya, given the stigma and barriers that persist. Thank you for helping us provide a bright future for these children.

Previously HATW has supported our local partner, the Meru North Disability Community Centre (DCC) with the provision of new wheelchairs and specific staff training on the assembling and fitting wheelchairs. Through the DCC, valuable support has continued with the provision of school furniture for Irindiro Special school in Meru County. Irindiro Special School is providing a life-enhancing service to 115 children with disabilities from the surrounding area. Irindiro Special School aims to address the inadequate provision of education for children with disabilities in the area and delivers a specially designed academic curriculum to these vulnerable children.

In early April, Irindiro Special School received much needed new classroom furniture. We are delighted to share that 40 pupil chairs, two writing boards and two teacher chairs and desks have been delivered and installed in the classrooms. The project is also making 8 large tables, each accommodating 5 students, based on specific designs provided by the headteacher to suit the needs of the children with disabilities. These will be built and delivered to the school in May. Teachers and pupils at Irindiro Special School were very excited to receive the new furniture and commence lessons.  The new furniture was delivered by truck and installed in the classrooms enabling the school to support the 115 children in a way that meets their needs and has a huge positive long-term impact.

The new school furniture will not only provide a more suitable and appropriate learning environment for the pupils but will boost academic performance leading to higher attainment levels in exams. This will ultimately increase the children’s chances of entering further education and later the opportunity to access a wider range of career options. In the long run, this will enhance the well-being and self-esteem of those educated at Irindiro Special School, providing access to meaningful employment and promoting financial independence and social engagement.