Elijah Determined to Succeed Against All Odds

At first glance, one would presume 14- year old Elijah Mwangi for any ordinary pupil. But taking a closer look on his interaction with the white cane quickly depicts who he is. Mwangi, born blind to a single parent family of three, is a standard six pupil at Nairobi’s Kilimani Primary School. Like any other pupil in the school, he is looking forward to sit for his primary certificate exams, in two years’ time.

Jack Matika, head of the Ndugu Mdogo Rescue Centre an initiative of Koinonia Community spotted Mwangi a few weeks ago during a duty visit to the school and saw the desolation the young man was sunk into. This prompted Matika to seek more about him from his teachers.

“When we came and saw this boy, we were so touched and saw the great need in him. As Koinonia Community, we just wanted to show our love and care to such in society,” said Matika.

Later on meeting Mr. Bernard Abuko, a special education teacher at the school, he clearly highlighted Mwangi's plight.

Mwangi joined Kilimani Primary School at an early age of three and a half where he was first introduced to the Braille system- a devised method used by blind people to read and write. Despite all odds, Mr. Abuko narrated of Mwangi’s commendable performance in class.

“He is at ease in learning,” said Abuko as he showed records of his exemplary performance.

After discussions with Matika, Mwangi expressed his immediate desire of getting a new pair of uniforms which Jack took to consideration and promised that he would offer upon consultation with other rescue centre officials. His dream dawned on Monday March 14, when Matika revisited the school, and on that occasion to grant him his need.

 “They said that they had seen Mwangi and were really touched”, said Mr. Abuko, referring to the initial visit by the rescue centre officials.

A joyful Mwangi could not hide his delight, smiling as he received new uniforms.

 “Thank you and God bless you. What you have done, some people could have not done for me,” said Mwangi.

For him life with blindness has not been quite easy, owing to dependence on others on some occasions, especially when in unfamiliar grounds. The biggest challenge that he faces is being a day scholar which translates to meeting the daily hustle and bustle to get at school from his home in Kabiria. Often times, lack of finances, forcing him to stay away from school or miss  his lunch as he struggles to pay attention in class.

Mwangi also complained of the irregular supply of Braille materials to the school as an obstacle to his learning process. His teachers nevertheless say that he is grown above these challenges among others and works tirelessly on a positive path to realize his dream of becoming a lawyer in future.

The Institution lauded Koinonia Community for its expression of kindness that will see Mwangi attain his dream career.

 “We commend Koinonia Community for the earnest extension of kindness towards our boy and others who are needy in society”, said Mr. Paul Migwi, the school’s head teacher. “We hope cooperation between our school and Koinonia will continue in many other projects to come”.

Mr. Migwi said as part of finding a solution to the problems facing these pupils with special needs, the school would be putting up boarding facilities which will serve them during the learning days and on weekends they leave for their homes. He invited Koinonia Community to closely work with the school on a dormitory project they are commencing, a request which the community heeded.

Two special units offered by the school-for the visually impaired and one for the deaf and blind- were started in 1987 under the Ministry of Education in 19 institutions run by the government throughout the country. This is aimed at accommodating disabled pupils who were facing discrimination to access education. Since inception of the programme, Kilimani has maintained its top position in both academic performances and co-curricular activities for the impaired pupils, thanks to the dedicated staff who have helped nurture the pupils to achievement.

In most African cultural practices disability was viewed as bad omen or burden to the society. This at times attracted human sacrifices where the society had to get rid of the victims as a way of cleansing or warding off the evil spirits. Those who had minor deformities were hidden from the public eye since they became a source of mockery for the family. Parents or caretakers always saw them as a burden because they were of no value to them. Very few communities were known to embrace disabled people, who were highly stigmatized.

The number of people with disability in Africa has drastically increased in the recent past, in contrast with diminishing amounts of those who are being enrolled in learning institutions. Most are plagued with stigma and discrimination that facilitate their exclusion from participating fully in society. About ten percent of Africa’s population is made up of those with disability, with over 80 percent of working age people with disability are unemployed.

Often they are excluded from schools and therefore have limited opportunities to find work. For many begging becomes a sole means of survival, due to their isolations and discrimination as a result of their condition..

Despite the inevitable challenges, some disabled people like Mwangi are rising up and taking control of their destiny by assuming roles and responsibilities in society that were seen before as impossible for them to handle.

The Kenyan government in its efforts is working towards ensuring those faced with disability have fair ground in accessing resources and opportunities. The new constitution in place has provided disabled people with a platform to express themselves, apart from the goodwill and securities granted against all sorts of discrimination.

The Ndugu Mdogo Rescue Centre, started it operations in 2005. It handles street children rehabilitation programme and creation of awareness on street problems and the rights of children. Situated in Kibera slums - Nairobi, Kenya, the rescue centre also supports initiatives to empower street youth through equipping them with life skills.