LG supports children with physical impairments complete education

The belief among parents that with the right education, their children will be able to make something of themselves and achieve a higher standard of living than the previous generation, runs deep.

The simple reason for this is that educational opportunities are the hope that many share across the globe. Nonetheless, this belief is not as strong among parents of children living with disabilities. For obvious reasons, their journey through school comes with a number of challenges. It is said that they are less likely to start school or complete their education compared to their counterparts without any form of disability.

Even though approximately 19.4 percent of the world’s population is estimated to live with some form of disability, only 2.2 percent of those afflicted with handicaps are unable to lead independent, productive lives. However, the unemployment rate of people with disabilities is still about 2.5 times higher than the general population.

LG is dedicated to improving access to education to children living with disability. As part of its bid to address some educational barriers and especially among Kenyan children from humble backgrounds with physical impairments, LG Electronics has for the past 11 years donated millions to P.C.E.A Kikuyu Hospital’s orthopedic rehabilitation unit.

The funds have been used to equip the unit with prosthetics, pay bills for needy patients, most of whom are children requiring prosthetics, giving them an opportunity to enjoy some independence in going about their day to day lives.

It will be stating the obvious to say that it is very traumatizing and life changing when someone suddenly loses their limbs, and especially children. One can lose all or part of an arm or leg from a number of reasons including traumatic injuries from accidents, diabetes, cancer or even birth defects.

 “We have over the years supported hundreds of children with amputated legs and arms from across the country to acquire artificial limbs,” said Maureen Kemunto, LG Electronics Assistant Communication and Marketing Manager.

When an arm or leg is amputated, an artificial limb can sometimes replace it. Prosthesis, can help one to perform daily activities such as walking, eating, or dressing. Some artificial limbs even let the recipients function nearly as well as before.

“Disability from amputations no doubt hinders full participation in the educational and social life development of children of school going age. We are glad that our partnership with P.C.E.A. Kikuyu hospital has continued to help some of the affected children to go back to school after losing a limb(s),” she concluded.

Additionally, LG has come up with innovations that show that it understands the significance of an effective learning environment. For example, with its HVAC systems, the company aims to create the right climate for education by reducing distractions, increasing attention spans, and boosting motivation for teachers and students alike.

Moreover, as part of its effort to promote digital literacy in the current information age we are living in, LG has organized the Global IT Challenge for Youth with Disabilities (GITC) in collaboration with the Korean Society for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities (KSRPD) in order to give those with disabilities more opportunities to utilize and access information and communications technology (ICT).

Corporations actively involved in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives around education like LG Electronics cultivate social progress, lower unemployment rates and create more inclusive societies.