Persons Living with Disability (PWDs) in Kitengela, Kajiado County had a reason to smile as they received an early Christmas courtesy of well-wishers.
The event which was organized by Mobility Taruesh, a Community Based Organization(CBO) saw people living with different types of disabilities receive a free medical checkup from Nairobi Women’s Kitengela Hospital and food donations from other organizations.
Meshack Sausau, the Chairman of Mobility Taruesh CBO said that the event was marked to celebrate the PWDs living in Kitengela, even after the International day of People Living With Disability was celebrated.
“PWDs in the community have been forgotten in employment and economic opportunities. We are grateful that with the help of the community and a few organizations, we have been able to help members of the community living with disability as we head for the holidays,” he said.
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities was proclaimed in 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly to create awareness and mobilize support for the advancement of the well-being of persons with disabilities.
“Members of the PWDs in Kitengela feel left out by the National and County Government as many PWDs didn’t know there is a day set aside to celebrate them. By having such an event and inviting stakeholders of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities from Kajiado here we can create awareness on the benefits of their offices and how we can support each other,” added Meshack.
Julie Minyoso, the chief disability services officer in Kajiado County urged those who have any form of disability to be registered with the National Council of Persons Living with Disabilities to be able to receive benefits that are accorded to those who have disabilities.
“There are a lot of benefits that come when you have a PWD card and many might not be aware of them. For parents who have children with a disability, we urge you to have them registered if they are below the age of 18 and they can get benefits such as education and assistive devices for those who require them,” she said.
Minyoso also stressed the importance of PWDs forming groups as this makes it easier for them to get access to help where needed.
Chrisp Alutsachi, a representative from Nairobi Women’s Hospital said that this is one way of giving back to the community by the hospital as a team of medical practitioners were able to attend to the PWDs.
“Parents should not hide their children who have any form of disability, they may be ashamed but giving them proper healthcare is a simple way of making their lives a little better,’’ he said.
Those who attended the event had nothing but praise for the talk and the free medical services that they received.
Devine Wekesa, one of the beneficiaries said that this event has been beneficial as she has learnt the importance of having her child register as a PWD and the benefit they can receive from being registered.
Another beneficiary, Celina Wanjiru noted that the free medical camp came as a huge relief to her as a parent to a child with Cerebral Palsy as they don’t get the time to leave the house often and such activities make them feel remembered by the community.
The event was sponsored by Nairobi Women’s Hospital, Family Bank, Joystar Supermarket LTD, Saropa Bells Academy, Gohaps Hardware, Milimani Drillers, Majod Enterprise LTD, Josmatt Mini Mart, Power in the Word Ministry and The National Council for Persons with Disabilities.
By Vivian Mbinya
