People with disabilities in Rachuonyo South Sub-county have received equipment for business start-ups from the National Fund for the Disabled of Kenya (NFDK)
The equipment worth Sh750, 000 distributed to 24 individuals ranged from barber toolkit, battery charger, carpentry tool kit, farming tools, hair salon tools, knitting and sewing machines, leather work toolkit, welding toolkit and wheelchairs.
NFDK Programme Committee Chairperson, Prof. Julia Ojiambo, presented the assorted equipment to the beneficiaries at the Deputy County Commissioner’s compound in Kosele, Monday.
During the presentation Prof. Ojiambo said the Fund has been issuing the equipment each year, meeting with various beneficiaries, urging the beneficiaries to use the equipment prudently to improve their livelihood.
She said the Organization received 100 requests for support “but a few are going to benefit because the programme runs in the whole country,” but promised those who missed out that they would be considered in the coming year.
“We cannot reach all the deserving cases at once,” she said, adding that NFDK has a programme to help the disabled persons little by little until they reach all of them with tools to transform their lives and urged beneficiaries to use them to create wealth.
“From today, start to change your life, decide to start a journey that is going to change your life,” she said and called on this year’s beneficiaries to mobilize many others to benefit saying there were many people who needed assistance but were not aware of the fund which supports different individuals each year.
During the distribution Prof. Ojiambo warned against taking the equipment to keep or sell and instead asked the beneficiaries to return any equipment if it’s not helping them, so that they are given what they wanted. However, she noted that they donate the equipment that were applied for.
“All the equipment are important and will change your live,” she said, as she reiterated the government’s commitment to help the disabled by all means, including giving them little money for business start-ups.
She asked the beneficiaries to get the required skills, to enable them use the equipment effectively, to change their lives and be useful just like any other person.
“Parents with disabled children are also given equipment to support them to do business, earn money and support their disabled children,” Prof, Ojiambo said.
Other officers present during the distribution of the equipment were Cecilia Mbaka NFDK Trustee, Vera Ouma Rachuonyo South Sub-county Gender and Social Development Officer and Denis Kieti Rachuonyo South Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) who promised, together with the Chiefs and their Assistants, to follow-up on the progress the beneficiaries would have with the donated equipment. He also cautioned them against selling the equipment.
By Moseti Julius
