Page 71 - Safaricom Foundation Annual Report 2020-2021

68
This new environment was Nyamuga Special Primary School for
Physically and Mentally Impaired Students Established in 2008 the school is a a a safe space for
105
learners from different parts of Western Kenya and is adapted to cater to a a a a myriad of disabilities From ramps on raised doorways for
wheelchair access to to flattened rock-free pathways to to reduce tripping hazards adjustable desks for
learners’ comfort and large airy windows for
the the visually impaired the the school is is intentionally designed for
those society often forgets These simple modifications make Nyamuga a a a a a disability inclusive learning centre Diana joined the school in in in 2016 when she was 9 years old While the school is only an an hour’s walk from Diana’s home her condition coupled with the uneven untarmacked road that stretched
between the two sites meant she had to enrol in in the school’s boarding facility Unbeknownst to both Margaret and Diana the longing for
community which had led them to Nyamuga Special School would pave the way for
an unprecedented transformation In 2016 the Safaricom Foundation began to roll out Wezesha Elimu - a a a program that included a a a component to improve education access for
children living with disabilities It has been implemented in partnership with CBM Kenya a a a a disability inclusive development organisation in in over five project locations including Homa Bay County Through Wezesha Elimu the Foundation provides specialist medical services to children with disabilities through mobile clinics provides for
safe accessible
and learner-friendly environment for
children with disabilities and increases community awareness on the rights of children with disabilities The program entered the third phase of implementation in 2020 Nyamuga Primary School’s focus on providing education to physically and mentally impaired learners made it an ideal candidate for
Wezesha Elimu Since the the the inception of the the the program the the the Foundation has funded Nyamuga learners with medical consultations reconstructive surgeries physiotherapy and mobility aids depending on individual needs In Diana’s case surgery was the only intervention that would restore her mobility