August is here! This means it is my last month on the race and soon I will be on my way back to the states. I wanted to let you all know what my LAST month has looked like here in Kenya. The Lord has blessed my team and I with being with an organization called “Kupenda” located in Malindi.
This organization started from a young woman named Cynthia Bauer from Massachusetts. She had visited Kenya as a young woman and learned about the negative stigma and lack of resources for people with disabilities. I myself had no idea this heartbreaking fact about many African countries but many people believe that people with disabilities are considered cursed by God. Most of them are kept from school, hidden, abandoned, or even killed. The parents often feel ashamed and do not see the potential their children have. Cynthia wanted to do something to break this chain of stigma in Africa. She is now the Executive director and founder of Kupenda. Kupenda has officially become a nonprofit organization and they are now serving hundreds of children with cognitive, developmental, physical, and sensory disabilities throughout Kenya through sponsorship and also, providing education for the parents and children. I have been able to help at the school, work in the office, and have been able to be a part of the advocacy.
Going to the school, I instantly fell in love with all of the joyful students. My heart was warmed with well these students were treated. There are around 150 students and the teachers are constantly busy because the kids are boarded there for the year. This special school provides for these children not only a multitude of love but also, community. They give them a chance to have friends, to smile, to laugh, to learn and have an education and a chance to reach their God-given potential.
Advocating for these children has included meetings with the parents and also, doing house visits. During the meetings we are able to change some of the cultural beliefs here in East Africa about disabilities. In the beginning it is an open floor for discussion. The parents are able to open up and tell us what they believe has caused their child’s disability. Some of the answers included evil spirits, cursed by God and also, they think a cure for their children having troubles with speaking is something that is practiced here called ‘tongue splitting.’ They think their tongue will have more movement if they cut the under part of their tongue and it will solve the problem of them not speaking. Seems crazy but they really do have a lack of education and resources that’s causing this terrible stigma and belief. By the end of the meeting, they are able to understand the real causes of disabilities including genetics, malnutrition, lack of oxygen, miss performed surgeries, infections, malaria, ect. They are able to have community and meet other parents and children with disabilities and also, get some encouragement of course!!
I am so very happy to be a part of advocating for these children and finish up this last month in this beautiful country. Kenya is definitely one of the prettiest countries in my opinion. But then again, My team and I got lucky because we happen to be less than 5 miles away from the Indian Ocean. Thanks God! See you all very soon! God Bless you. 🙂
