The National Fund for the Disabled of Kenya (NFDK) has commissioned the construction of a Sh 3.7 million dormitory for autistic children at Korara Special Primary School for the Visually Impaired in Bomet East Sub-county.
Speaking during commissioning, NFDK Board of Trustees Member Major (Rtd) Masden Madoka emphasized the fund’s commitment to ensuring children with disabilities access quality education in well-equipped institutions that meet universal design principles.
“Having visited this school before, we witnessed firsthand the challenges that children with disabilities were facing in this institution and as NFDK, we decided to chip in with the dormitory project,” said Madoka.
He noted that then the existing facilities were inadequate, making it difficult for the learners to have a conducive learning and living environment, adding that some children lacked proper accommodation, which affected their comfort, dignity, and overall well-being, which called for the prompt intervention by NFDK.
Bomet East constituency Member of Parliament, Richard Yegon, who hosted the event following the commissioning of 4 new classrooms at Korara Integrated School, presented a cheque totaling Sh 310,000 from the NG-CDF to support 31 learners at the visually impaired unit.
He further lauded NFDK’s efforts and vowed to create a conducive environment for partners supporting children with disabilities.
Yegon urged parents not to hide children with disabilities, emphasising that they are entitled to education like any other children, stating that under Bomet East NGCDF, he had overseen the renovation of more than 28 schools within the sub-county.
“Parents should bring out their children. The government has catered for their schooling through special institutions, ensuring they get equal opportunities,” said Yegon.
Yegon added that with the cheque he had handed over to the school board, each child has been allocated Sh 10,000 to support their education.
South Mugirango MP Silvanus Osoro, who had accompanied Yegon, echoed his sentiments, highlighting that education is a constitutional right in Kenya, reinforced by international treaties and national policies.
Osoro emphasized that the Kenya Kwanza administration prioritises the education of differently abled persons (PWDs) and encouraged parents with challenged children to avoid hiding them due to culturally oriented social stigma.
He urged them to take advantage of the government policies on equal opportunities and take all children to school for the sake of their future survival.
During the event, various items were donated, including barber tool kits, welding machines, salon equipment, and farm tool kits, aimed at enhancing the lives of PWDs in the county.
The commissioning of the school project marked a significant milestone in improving both the education and living conditions for children with disabilities in Bomet County.
By Nickson Terer
