The Kenya Ports Authority has assured People with Disabilities of job opportunities in the company during recruitment drives.
Speaking at Kakamega School for the Deaf, KPA General Manager for Infrastructure Eng Vincent Sidai, said the company gives equal opportunities to PWDs including the deaf.
He gave an example of one artisan who is a mechanical engineer working at the port of Mombasa as a motivation to young learners to strive hard in their education since opportunities were available.
Sidai was speaking after leading KPA company officials in donating to the school five horseshoe tables, 20 chairs, 10 double bunker beds, 20 mattresses, 20 blankets, 72 mosquito nets, five balls among other items worth Sh300,000 as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
Eng Sidai said this was the first time the company was donating to a deaf school in Western Kenya having done similar community interventions in Kilifi school for the deaf, Entebbe (Uganda), and Machakos school for the physically challenged.
He pointed out that KPA has also implemented over 60 community projects largely around the Coastal area and in other places.
“These projects, mainly consisting of construction of schools, clinics, tree planting, execution of medical camps, and sports sponsorships seek to complement the education, health, sports, and environment protection sectors, among others,” he added.
Kakamega School for the Deaf head teacher David Amutabi, said the donation would go a long way towards supporting the school which faces a myriad challenge.
He noted that the institution which was started in 1998, has 80 learners, 35 girls and 45 boys.
The Head teacher noted that some of the learners hailed from poor backgrounds with some parents hiding them at homes forcing the school to look for them.
“Some parents take their children to the normal institutions which makes it difficult for them to learn alongside others because they need a sign language interpreter,” he added.
He urged more partners to come on board to support infrastructure development of the school especially on disability friendly structures and boarding facilities.
By Cynthia Kerubo
