The National Fund for the Disabled in Kenya (NFDK) has commissioned a twin dormitory for disabled children at Nyakeore Disabled Primary School in Nyamira County
Presided over by NFDK Board of Trustees Member, Prof Julia Ojiambo on Monday, the Sh2.8 million project will save learners and parents the agony of trekking long distance to access the institution, which serves two Sub Counties.
“Our decision to fund a dormitory and not a classroom was informed through a public participation we did in 2019 and parents complained of the physically taxing routine of bringing their mentally challenged children to school and picking them in the evening. They showed they urgently needed a dormitory to host their children near their learning institution so they can have ample time in running other family errands and we as NFDK are grateful that you complied,” Prof. Ojiambo said.
“I want to challenge the school Board of Management to ensure that they source for other well-wishers to financially support the school to ensure that it meets the standard required soonest possible so that learners are comfortable while using the facility,” Prof Ojiambo recommended.
She advised the school head teacher to ensure she does consistent follow ups on funding proposals so that more partners will be convinced of their need and readily support them to enable the school accommodate more learners without difficulty.
“Safaricom Foundation are our partners at NFDK and they will assist in furnishing this commissioned dormitory with beds, and bedding so that the facility is sufficiently ready for use by learners,” She hinted.
NFDK CEO Alex Mutegi told the board of managers to do close supervision of construction works undertaken in their institution to ensure contractors are not paid for substandard work.
“Most rogue contractors compromise the school managers and get away with shoddy work, something the school management should not tolerate to ensure the already challenged learners learn from a conducive environment,” Mutegi warned.
Nyamira South Sub County Deputy County Commissioner promised to assist the school head teacher to do follow ups with fund managers of National Government Constituency Development Fund (NGCDF) so that they can also lend a helping hand in supporting the institution which is assisting our mentally challenged children access their right to education.
Nyakeore Special School Head Teacher, Ms Florence Kebiba was grateful for the continued support from NFDK and was optimistic the school’s current population of 84 learners will definitely rise because of the provision of a boarding facility that parents with special needs children have been yearning to have.
By Deborah Bochere
