Indagalasia Special School
In collaboration with the “Hands of Charity” organization based in Mumias, Kakamega County, we visited Indagalasia Special School. This was a fantastic opportunity to interact with disabled students and their parents directly, with the common goal of improving school conditions for the children. We arrived at the school early, and with the extra time, we were able to join the students in their welcoming song and dance.
We were then given a tour of the facility. Although the unit has approximately 150 students, they only have 2 dormitories, each with a capacity to handle 3 double deck beds. Most of the students are forced to spend their nights in classrooms. We also noted that there were no mosquito nets and various hygiene concerns, especially inside the dormitories. The schools also have only 2 pit latrines shared amongst the entire population. The stigma around disability was evident; many teachers admitted that parents shy off from enrolling their children in schools.
With these issues in mind, we gathered with parents in a town hall-style meeting. After our opening remarks giving hope to the parents and discussing certain mental health concerns, the conversation became open to everyone. They voiced their concerns to us, most of which were directed at the lack of government funding and visibility for disabled children. They discussed how difficult it was to deal with the stigma, which could be felt at various levels in their community. Some shared stories of difficulties they and their children faced, though more shared stories of how disabled children succeeded in their chosen fields.
These discussions were crucial in shaping our understanding of the state of disabled child education in rural Western Kenya and will inform our future endeavors in the area. For the time, we were able to distribute 100 pads, 10 panties, 10 toothbrushes, and other school materials. This was in combination with the gratuity of Hands of Charity, which was able to contribute food supplies and play-balls.