Sigomre small home for children with disability has received a multi-million-shilling facelift to enable it roll out community outreach services.
The facelift, courtesy of The Way We Care Kenya programme and Catholic Relief Services has seen the home which was established in 1972 by the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph rehabilitated with new and modern equipment to serve the children with disability.
According to the programme director of The Way We Care Kenya, Timon Mainga, Sigomre home, also known as Place of Hope has also been equipped with therapeutic equipment to enable it offer physiotherapy services to both the children and members of the community.
He said that his organization has also entered a partnership that will see the Catholic nuns running the home carry out community outreach to train parents and caregivers of children living with disabilities on better care giving skills and income generating activities.
Siaya county executive committee member for education, youth affairs, gender and social services, Dr. Edgar Otumba who was the chief guest during the occasion said the county government was committed to improving the quality of people’s lives.
Otumba said that as part of the commitment, the county government has set aside 30% of employment opportunities to the people living with disability.
“For those with hearing challenges, we have incorporated sign language translators especially during public participation forums so that they are not left behind” said Otumba.
Sigomre small home manager, Sister Mary Monica Amollo Owuor lamented over the high cost of health care services for the children living with disability.
Mary appealed to the government to consider providing all children living with disability with free health care through the Universal health care coverage.
“Most of these children are from poor backgrounds and their parents cannot afford the National Hospital Insurance Fund fees” said sister Mary.
Siaya county coordinator for children services, Mr. Jamine K’onyango hailed the home, saying it was the first of its kind to provide day care for such children in the region.
K’onyango said the initiative was in line with the government’s care reform agenda that aims at doing away with the use of orphanages and charitable child institutions as a model of care for the young in the society.
He said that an eight-year research finding has proved that use of orphanages and charitable children institutions was causing more harm to children, especially those under three years.
By Philip Onyango
