I am extremely happy here in Kenya, and have the opportunity of making a profound and lasting difference for good in the lives of children and people totally unable to speak up for themselves – indeed, largely unknown of or ignored. This is mainly those with severe or profound and multiple disabilities. Please do join me in this; either physically by coming out to work, or practically by helping raise funds, resources, support and awareness.
PRIORITIES
1. Donna Kelly Unit for Severe Learning Difficulties
üThere has been a clearly measurable, steady improvement in learning, social skills and behaviour from the children, and this is ongoing. Donna Kelly is a happy and effective learning environment and, as a result of this work, many of the children will now be enabled to live successful independent lives.
üThe costs needed are approximately £2000 (ksh260 000) per year, not government provided.
üFour well-attended quiz nights a year would raise the £2000 needed annually for sustainability.
2. Donna Kelly Outreach for Profound and Multiple Disabilities
üI am looking to support and enhance the lives of children whose disabilities are so profound they often have no communication or control on bodily movement/function. Many live in the most abject poverty, with parents who have no idea how to help them or meet their needs. They are seen as punishment from God on their families, and are hidden away in shame, never receiving any social contact, health care or education.
üIt is no overstatement to say these may be the most vulnerable and under-supported people on earth!
üI am looking to meet immediate needs such as basic health care, mattresses and social interaction
üI am introducing life and comfort enhancement strategies like chairs to develop a straight spine, etc. and a range of strategies for improved communication and movement/exercise which can be applied by families.
üI hope to start a day centre that could offer health care, physiotherapy, communication therapy and occupational therapy; learning resources, including myself, on a range of levels to meet individual needs; education for families on how best to support their disabled child; respite opportunities for parents and families; and a meeting point for families to share and discuss problems and solutions, and to realise they are not alone. Also to provide activity and education to siblings.
üFinance is again the issue here. I need to ask for help, both with organisation and promotion and with personal involvement in events.
3. Education and awareness on disability
üA rare bad thing about Kenyan culture is the attitude shared by many that disability is punishment from God and a cause of shame on a family. Me and Katherine Kithuci set out immediately to try to tackle this.
üWe brought Timmy Bloom who has no use of his legs and uses crutches, and is an inspirational public speaker, to lead assemblies for students at challenging the old prejudices against disability.
üWe held 2 ‘Cafes’ at during the Christmas holidays, promoting the abilities rather than disabilities of the Donna Kelly SEN Unit students. These were attended by many hundreds and were overwhelming successes.
üFinally, we held a ‘First Birthday Party’ for the Donna Kelly SEN Unit, which doubled up as a Christmas Party. It was attended by many local people and was a major success.
üI am very pleased with this programme. It has had a real impact, and has gone a long way to changing attitudes to disability. I hope to see this work continued.
4. UK citizens involved and work in Kenya
üI have so far been accompanied by, and worked with 5 current, training or retired health professionals, anda team of five staff from Wyvern SLD and PMLD School to work with Donna Kelly SEN Unit and Outreach Programme. Other UK visitors come over in the summer or later.
üI am also looking to create a Gap Year and Volunteering Base as part of a social enterprise company offering challenge, volunteering and career-based opportunities in the Chogoria and Weymouth areas for all
5. British Council Curriculum Project Work at Wiru Day Secondary School
üI worked with Budmouth College colleague Julie Harris at preparing a music and drama concert, teaching citizenship, female aspirations and male views towards equality, and the Olympic Games and Ideals.
üI shall continue to work at Wiru Day Secondary School on a programme of training on ‘Teaching for Effective Learning’ to encourage different classroom strategies.
üI will continue to develop the use of ICT to show Wiru teachers how powerful it can be in teaching and learning and conduct some real-time shared learning between Wiru and Budmouth students utilising Skype.
üI will continue to promote girls’ aspirations, in parallel with personal development and health education.
üI will develop removing small numbers of hard-working, but struggling, students from certain classes to help them learn more effectively in a small group and supportive setting.
6. Health Education
üI have already got well under way working on health education in schools, incorporating Baragu HIV Support Group, and educating parents and the community on health issues.
üI have held very positive meetings on this with the Community Health Manager at Chogoria Hospital, and the District Education Officer for Health, on the targets above.
üI hope to develop a wide ranging programme impacting on the community here.
7. To improve personal health, lose weight and gain energy levels
üI think I have lost more than a stone. My energy levels are greatly increased from when I first came out here. I am eating much more healthily, and am considerably more active than I used to be.
üHaving just had 3 health professionals with me, they have set some simple routines which I will follow.
An enormous step forward for all the planned work below would be to register for charitable status. This I intend to do and would be most grateful for any help and advice that may be offered with the application for such.
Another important development is for me to find a different base to operate from. I hope to set up a day centre for those with disabilities and their families, and I also hope to encourage more UK people of all ages to come and join the work. Could this be you perhaps?
