Over 100 persons living with disability in Narok County could not hide their joy after a non-governmental organization donated foodstuff and face masks during Easter season.
Narok Peace Association donated the goodies that consisted of maize flour, cooking oil, bar soaps and facemasks to every family with a physically challenged person yesterday.
The association’s ambassador Joshua Ole Kaputa said the real meaning of Easter is to help the poor and vulnerable in the society by sharing the little that one has.
He observed that during this season when the country is suffering because of the Coronavirus pandemic, the vulnerable have continued to face challenges as most of their businesses have closed down.
“Most of the disabled sell small goods on streets exposing themselves to the virus, others with severe disability cannot even work to earn a living,” he added.
He appreciated stakeholders who donated foodstuff and money to boost the donation, among them Mara Glass and Sinende Supermarkets.
At the same time, the peace ambassador raised concern over the community’s practice of hiding persons living with disability giving an example of a disabled who was rescued after being locked indoors for over sixteen years.
“It saddens me to hear parents locking their children in the house just because they were born with a condition, instead the children should be exposed so that they can get help,” said Ole Kaputa.
He urged the community to embrace the physically challenged and the poor because they too are humans and deserve to be loved.
“We are able to create an impact by what we do and not by the riches we possess. Lives are touched by our kindness and not riches,” he added.
Paul Ole Sopia a beneficiary of the Easter gifts, thanked the association for their commendable efforts in remembering them during this trying time.
He reprimanded both the County and National government for forgetting the persons living with disability during this difficult period.
“Some of us limp, some of us crawl and some of us cannot see. The government has imposed a curfew that has not considered some of us who because of physical challenges are unable to beat the curfew hours,” he added.
Grace Silantoi, also a beneficiary said, “Some of us are blessed to be parents but our children are unemployed. As we are aging, we become highly dependent on them. The government should try to consider us.”
Narok Peace Association is a Christian based association formed in 2016 and endeavours to unite Narok County especially against vices such as tribalism.
The association endeavors to assist persons living with disability, widows, orphans and the elderly within the community.
Along with other stakeholders such as Red Cross Society, the association has been able to feed thousands, offered shelter and education to orphans and street children
By Ann Salaton
