Donations
The National Fund for the Disabled of Kenya (NFDK) is carrying out an economic empowerment and inclusion program in Kiambu County.
About 94 people living with disability (PWDs) drawn from nine sub counties in Kiambu county are set to receive donations of wheelchairs, welding kits, barber and salon kits, farming tools, carwash machines, sewing machine among other things, worth Sh 3,128,800 million.
The nine sub counties set to receive the supportive devices include; Limuru, Kikuyu, Githurai, Kiambu Town, Kiambaa, Ruiru, Juja, Gatundu North and South. NFDK is an endowment Fund mandated to enhance the social economic empowerment of Persons with Disabilities in Kenya.
Speaking during the event held at the office of the Deputy County Commissioner in Kiambu sub county, Tabitha Mihari, a representative of the Fund in charge of Advocacy urged beneficiaries to be aware of their fundamental rights and privileges and challenge societal stereotypes in their quest for inclusion.
“The Fund exists to supports PWDs with assistive devices and tools of trade towards their inclusion and economic empowerment, we also support institutions of learning for persons with disabilities with grants to meet learning needs; infrastructural development and income generation” Mihari said
Tabitha Mihari handing over donations to beneficiaries of an economic empowerment and inclusion program by the National Fund for the Disabled of Kenya (NDFK) in Kiambu County.
Photos by Geoffrey Mwangi
She further emphasized on the need for PWD’s to fill forms for the NFDK available at the DCCs and Chiefs offices, which indicates the devices they require to be supplied with. “All the items we are distributing today are as per the individual request when they filled their forms, for the first time we are going to give bank checks worth Sh20,000 to individuals who sought to have a goat instead of a device” Mihari added
The Fund Assistant Manager, Isaac Aliyah, urged beneficiaries to utilize the support given in the right way and desist from the urge to sell for short gains.
“We have been keen to ensure that what we are giving you is efficient to start a business without any added expenses, for example the salon kit we are giving includes a hair dryer, a mirror, a blow-drying machine to ensure you don’t need to buy anything else we have included up to the least tools like towels, rollers and comps etc.” Aliyah cited.
One million Kenyans living with disabilities are in dire need of assistive technology (AT), according to Richard Bosire, the deputy director, Social Development, at the Ministry of Labor, during the White Cane Day held in June this year at the Kabete Orthopedic Grounds.
The World Health Organization (WHO) observes that globally, more than 2.5 billion people need one or more assistive devices. And with an ageing global population and the increase in non-communicable diseases, an estimated 3.5 billion people will need assistive technology by 2050.