The National Fund for the Disabled of Kenya (NFDK) has spent about Sh55million in the Coast region for the last three years to build classrooms and dormitories in support of people living with disabilities.
This was disclosed by Prof. Kamar yesterday and a member of the Board of Trustee of the Fund, while issuing out assorted equipment to over 20 people living with disabilities in Mombasa.
During the occasion, the beneficiaries received various vocational tools meant for their economic empowerment as they navigate life with disability.
The donations delivered by the National Fund for the Disabled of Kenya (NFDK) included items such as sewing machines, barber machines, salon kits, car wash machines, which are income-generating tools were given to the disabled upon their requests.
Institutions housing learners with disabilities also received donations worth Sh2,361,020 during the launch of the Coast Region Empowerment Programme.
Speaking during the issuance of the tools, Senator Prof. Margaret Kamar urged institutions to reach out to the Fund especially for flagship grant funding towards infrastructural development.
In the flagship programme a donation of up to Sh3 million per institution is given to do a major building.
“We have started with classrooms and now we have shifted to dormitories. We are now able to move some children from home to schools so that they bond,” she said.
“Boarding is very important to these children and we are encouraging county bosses to take over and provide the schools with nurses or caregivers so that they not only have matrons. This is their right as the Constitution says we must provide equal education to every child in this country,” she added.
The Fund has a mandate to enhance social and economic empowerment of persons with disabilities which is done through provision of mobility and rehabilitative devices, vocational tools of trade towards sustainable livelihoods and social inclusion.
It also promotes the right to education for learners with disabilities through infrastructural development like dormitories, classrooms and dining halls, water, hygiene and sanitation programmes in those schools.
Several schools and institutions in Coast Region like Bura Vocational Rehabilitation Centre, Mombasa School for the mentally challenged, Kwale School for the Deaf, Fumbuni primary and Kafundini Special School benefited.
Furthermore, the Fund advocates for the rights of persons with disabilities in a bid to change public perception of the society on matters of disability.
Prof. Kamar called upon all stakeholders on matters to do with the welfare of the disabled people in the country to join hands in mainstreaming matters of disabilities through awareness and programmes for the benefit of persons living with disability.
“Through this we are able to identify the beneficiaries and monitor them so that they benefit from these tools and don’t end up losing them. We work closely with the local administration to ensure full access to the beneficiaries at the grassroots,” said Kamar.
Institutions that have benefited with the grants are schools that have integrated students living with disability and those without and they need to do small modifications on building ramps and toilets that are favorable to disabled kids.
Patrick Jilani who is a Head teacher at Kafundini Special School in Kilifi County said he is delighted to receive a cheque of Sh.200, 000 to help learners living with disability to receive learning and teaching resources.
Jilani said his school is an integrated school of mental health students who need specific learning resources since they are not like the other learners.
“Because of the inclusion with other learners we need to put special toilets and classrooms that fit them so that they feel welcomed in the school,” he said.
Charles Mwende who applied for a car washing machine said he will use it to get an income to support his family.
Mwende said it is his first time to run a car wash business and that he will apply for a startup capital to start his dream business.
To apply for the fund, you must be living with disability and have registered with the National Council of Persons with Disabilities with a national identity card.
By Chari Suche
