Help Kenyan children with disabilities into school

Hands Around the World (HATW) works in partnership with schools and communities in Kenya helping children with disabilities. Two schools supported by HATW are St Lucy’s Primary and Secondary Schools for the Blind and Visually Impaired, in Igoji, Kenya. St Lucy’s schools strive to create an environment that empowers, nurtures, and inspires. Both schools aspire to become centres of excellence for visually impaired learners, and a team of dedicated teachers work towards creating an environment that fosters opportunities for all the children to thrive.

HATW has been working in direct partnership with these schools with positive outcomes on the students’ academic achievements, with sport and music also playing a vital role in the student’s development.

The schools believe that sport and music are important in helping the students develop physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally. These activities engage their senses, helping them navigate the physical world and build essential social connections.

Sport helps these students stay healthy, gain confidence, learn teamwork, and become more independent. To encourage these activities, HATW recently supported the schools with the provision of sports equipment including a variety of different balls (netballs, footballs and volley balls), athletic equipment such as two javelins and two discuses, as well as the provision of new sports kits, consisting of jerseys, shorts, and socks and 15 pairs of football boots. The provision of proper football boots is expected to significantly reduce sports-related injuries, improve learner safety and comfort during play, and enhance overall performance and competitiveness during sporting events.

To showcase their talents, the students recently participated in a friendly football match, which they won! The students are currently training for the sub-county competition. Engaging in competitive activities fosters immense self-worth and a sense of achievement. These activities also help to break down stigma and discrimination, with people recognising their abilities rather than focusing on their disabilities.

St Lucy’s students also have a passion for music! HATW recently also supported the schools with the provision of 84 beautiful choir uniforms (42 uniforms for the boys and 42 for the girls). The new uniforms have given the students a sense of belonging. Singing, performing and playing music helps the students develop confidence, promotes interaction with others, improves their cognitive and emotional development and promotes well-being.

The students are looking forward to wearing their new choir uniforms whilst participating in music competitions in the summer!

Thank you for making the lives of these children brighter!