Archbishop Anyolo calls for recognition of people living with disability

Archbishop Philip Anyolo applies confirmation oil to a child in Thigio village during the celebration of International Disability Day at St. Louise Kisima School. [George Njunge, Standard]

Archbishop Philip Anyolo of the Catholic Church has called for greater recognition of children and people living with disability.

He said society must appreciate and utilise their special gifts during this year’s International Disability Day.

Anyolo expressed his delight at the progress made by children living with disability following training from teachers, handlers, and nuns.

“We need to recognise that people living with disability are God's creation with special gifts. I thank nuns and everyone involved in training them in different fields of life,” Anyolo said.

The Archbishop was speaking at St Louise Kisima Special School in Thigio village, Limuru, during the graduation of children living with disability.

Sister Roda Mose, the school’s director, said the institution trains children in special education, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.

 “People and children living with disability are human beings too and they can develop to their full potential through training and support,” Rhoda said.

Rhoda noted that the initial challenge in Thigio village was stigma and limited support for people with special needs.

She explained that there was disbelief that children living with disability could succeed in life.

“We faced an uphill task in persuading people to bring their children here; however, after a few years, I’m glad to mention that the achievements we made in improving the children have seen this community change their perception on the children and they are now bringing them here without persuasion,” Sister Rhoda said.

The director added that parents of the children under Kisima’s care have come forward to witness the remarkable improvement in children who previously faced severe challenges, including speech and mobility issues.

Rhoda told The Standard that her proudest moment at Kisima was helping parents reunite after being separated due to the difficulties related to disability.

"After Kisima’s intervention and the subsequent training of their child, the parents reunited as one family again," she said.

Out of the 16 children graduating in various disciplines, only two could walk and one could speak at the time of entry.

“The institution’s intensive training and repetitive activities of daily living skills have made this possible,” Sister Rhoda said.

 Rhoda encouraged parents with children living with disability to seek training for them in various fields such as bead making, mat making, and baking.

 "This can support them financially. A prevocational class will be set up for them to have more specialised training to realise their full potential," she noted.

 Esther Konkara, a parent of a child living with disability who attended Kisima, shared her experience. Her daughter, Lovelyn Murugi, joined Kisima with delayed milestones.

“My daughter could not walk or even feed herself, and with early intervention at Kisima School, she was and is still able to feed herself, walk, and even say a few words to express herself,” Konkara observed.

Murugi’s progress has been remarkable. After a few years, she joined a regular primary school.

 Konkara said Murugi has improved in speech, self-care, and her ability to socialise with other children and participate in school activities.