Children Living with Disability at Kutus area in Kirinyaga County have reasons to smile after the Rotary Club Kirinyaga chapter donated mobility aid equipment.
Speaking in Kutus Town, Rotary Club president Kirinyaga chapter, Perpetua Karanja said the specialised wheelchairs will assist the disabled children in many ways including eating and studying making it easy for their parents or caretakers to do other duties.
Ms Karanja said in conjunction with BethanyKids which donated the wheelchairs, the rotary pays assessment fees amounting to Sh 5000 per child.
The programme is part of the corporate social responsibility of the rotary club to the community.
The wheelchairs can be adjusted as children grow making it long lasting. The BethanyKids in partnership with the rotary club will also cater for the replacement and/or repair of the chairs. She asked the people to use the devices wisely.
“We have distributed specialised wheelchairs that will assist the children in movement allowing parents to perform chore duties. The devices can be adjusted as the child grows hence making it a lifetime programme,” Ms Karanja said.
Mutemi Wilfred, former chairperson of rotary club Kirinyaga, said some disabled children are restless hence they cannot be left alone and the specialised wheelchairs will greatly assist in some areas giving parents some freedom.
Mr Mutemi called on the community to support persons living with disability, saying they encounter many challenges that require close attention.
He said Rotary club has helped hundreds of persons living with disability in the area, calling on any person with mobility problems not to hide.
“Most young disabled children are restless, requiring close supervision by their parents. These devices will help them in management of the kids. I urge all those people with children with disabilities not to hide from the public. We are here to assist,” he said
He added they have annual event that bring together all people with disabilities in Kirinyaga County to celebrate together and share experiences like other human beings.
In other activities that seek to elevate the lives of the disabled, the club donated a Green House to Kerugoya School for the deaf to assist in food crop production. They also participate in renovation of classrooms mainly used for disabled students in different schools.
“We have an annual event that brings together all people living with disabilities to celebrate and feel being part of the society. We also visit special schools and also those integrated schools hosting students with disabilities to help in renovation of classrooms,” Mutemi added.
Nancy Githinji, mother to beneficiary, said the donation has motivated her to know that there are people who think positively about persons living with disability.
By Mutai Kipngetich
