Learners at Kipngosos school for the disabled in Sotik sub county, have received a major boost after the National Fund for the Disabled of Kenya (NFDK) commissioned a new Sh3 million dining hall, a facility expected to enhance their learning environment and restore dignity for children with special needs.
The project was officially launched by Prof. Francis Kibera, Chairman of the NFDK Board of Trustees, who emphasized the organization’s longstanding commitment to supporting the education and welfare of persons with disabilities (PWDs).
“This is the fifth project in this region, and it underscores our determination to uplift the lives of children with different body complications. Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, thrive, and live with dignity. Facilities like this dining hall are not just buildings; they are symbols of inclusion and hope,” Prof. Kibera said.
He added that the fund was helping schools with units for disabled to improve their infrastructure and making them friendly for use, besides supporting them by all means possible.
The Chairman also urged parents with physically challenged children to bring them out and take them to school to get education, which is an equalizer in all aspects.
The new facility comes at a time when institutions serving children with disabilities face acute challenges in infrastructure and resources and the NFDK’s intervention, stakeholders noted, is a step towards bridging this gap.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Social Protection and Senior Affairs, Trustee Charity Kiilu reassured parents and caregivers of the government’s support for persons with disabilities.
She urged families to take the crucial step of registering their loved ones with the relevant government bodies to access benefits and protection.
“The government remains committed to promoting the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities. We encourage families to ensure proper registration so that no child is left behind in receiving essential services,” Kiilu said.
She further noted that the government, through partnerships, is supporting 13 vocational institutions across Kenya that provide specialized education and skills training to PWDs.
This, she added, is part of an effort to ensure that persons with disabilities can lead independent and productive lives.
Local leaders also welcomed the initiative. Edna Sigei, the area chief, called on parents and guardians to embrace inclusive education by enrolling children with mental and physical challenges in schools rather than keeping them at home.
“These children deserve education just like any other. By bringing them to school, we not only give them a chance to build a better future, but also protect them from neglect and dangers such as sexual harassment,” Sigei said.
She expressed gratitude to NFDK for what she described as a life-changing investment in the community.
The Kipngosos School for the Disabled now becomes part of a growing network of institutions across the country benefiting from NFDK’s projects, which aim to promote equity, access and dignity for persons with disabilities.
As the new dining hall opens its doors, learners and teachers at Kipngosos school say it will not only serve as a safe space for meals, but also as a symbol of inclusion, reminding the community that every child, regardless of ability, deserves equal opportunity to learn and thrive.
by Nickson Terer & Erick Ongeri
