Three hundred and fourteen children living with disabilities benefitted from a two days assessment exercise at the Githurai National Government CDF offices that ended yesterday.
The assessment will enable the children to be captured in the system of the National council for Persons living with disabilities that enables them to benefit from equipment and other services or be exempted from paying taxes.
The assessment drew children mainly from Githurai ward but other cases travelled from as far as from Muranga, Mathare, Muguga and Soweto.
The free exercise enabled the parents and guardians of the beneficiaries to save each 1,000 shillings which is charged by the County Government hospitals whenever they sought the service.
The assessment exercise was sponsored by the African Women development Fund through a Non-Governmental Organization called coalition on violence against women (COVAW) in conjunction with the National and County Govenments and the area Member of Parliament who paid for their transport, food and water as most of them could not afford to travel to the venue unaided.
Ms. Maureen Kubuchi from COVAW noted that the programme was one of those sponsored in the 2019/2020 projects.
COVAW was formed in 1995 to champion for the rights for women and girls to be free from all forms of violence.
The social development officer in charge of Ruiru Ms Cynthia Kimathi appreciated the effort extended to the children saying those living with disabilities were very many especially in Githurai ward. “Now they will be able to benefit from any aid extended to people living with disabilities when they have the National card in their possession” she said.
On the first day of the assessment, they were also addressed by Kiambu Deputy Governor Dr.Joyce Ngugi who encouraged the guardians and parents with such children to take care of them, ensuring they provided the basic needs to cushion them from any hazards.
Dr.Ngugi also donated a pack of 4kg of maize flour, 4kg for porridge and cooking fat to at least 100 parents who braved the function to conclusion.
The county government of Kiambu’s contribution was the services from the doctors at Thika Level 5 who attended to the children for the 2 days.
Senior County community development officer (SCDO) in charge of Ruiru Ms. Ann Kamau said the county had been linking up children and people living with disabilities to various stakeholders who have been of assistance to them. She cited Cure hospital and Bethany Kids as some of those who had walked with such parents on their journey to ensure those with disabilities were comfortable.
She further noted that they did not discriminate those who presented their cases from the entire sub-county. Ruiru is composed of 8 wards namely Mwiki, Kiuu, Mwihoko, Kahawa Wendani, Kahawa sukari, Giton’gora, Biashara and Gitothua.
The stakeholders have in the past donated to scores of people living with disabilities with tricycles, wheel chairs, special seats, ancillary clutches, walking canes and stick and ancillary stands which assist them in various capacities according to their type of disabilities.
By Lydia Shiloya
