AWARD OF ASSISTIVE DEVICES TO PWDs
In the spirit of supporting People Living with Disability, the County Government of Nandi through the Social Welfare department on Wednesday provided PWDS with assistive devices.
The assistive devices ranged from wheel chairs to tool kits specifically engineered to meet the specific need of each of the present individual living with disability. The PWDs were picked from all the six sub counties in Nandi County made possible with the collaboration of area administrators in their regions.
The event was graced by His Excellency, Hon. Stephen Sang and his deputy Dr. Yulita Mitei Cheruiyot together with CECs, COs and county employees from departments concerned. Also in attendance were delegation from Makueni, Kitui and Bomet who are on a benchmarking mission to learn from Nandi initiatives.
Speaking during the event, the Governor appreciated the life changing act this program provides. ‘‘We are happy as a government in our continuous venture to help people living with disability lead such equal lives as their counterparts hence the provision of these mobility devices which will now improve over 200 livelihoods and that of their families.’’
H.E Hon Stephen Sang addressing on issues PWDs.
He asked the beneficiaries to maximize the use and benefits of owning the devices to run businesses create wealth and thus be part of the Nandi citizens who are working hard and eventually improving the economic score of Nandi County as a whole.
Governor Stephen Sang having a word with PWDs.
H.E Mr. Stephen Sang also thanked the partners working with the County Government in ensuring such projects become a success.
Partners addressing the congregants
Mobility Worldwide, Partners for Care, Bethany Kids and Engineers Board of Kenya are in liaison with the County Government in their roles to ensure inclusivity of opportunities to people living with disability.
The governor highlighted the upcoming programs aimed at assisting the disabled in the county. Such are assessment of PWDs students’ wheelchairs and other toolkits and ensure they are specifically engineered to meet the unique need of each of those pupils. In addition to them being modified and upgraded.
Children living with disabilities with their assistive devices.
He furthermore touched on the county policy to prioritize bursaries to PWDs and children of PWDs.
Governor Sang also expressed his concern on the failed framework on the part of the national government in facilitating cash transfers to PWDs. He assured his commitment to reach out to the concerned ministry to relook at the model so that the intended beneficiaries are able to benefit and be supported through the program.
He wished the PWDs well in their ventures and assured them of the County Government support in meeting their needs and requests.
In her part, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Yulita Mitei, informed on the social welfare department ongoing field assignment, which looks into finding gaps and challenges PWDs face and their recommendations.
The Deputy Governor, Dr. Yulita Mitei Cheruiyot addressing the gathering.
She also highlighted on an initiative the County Government is set to procure in collaboration with the Engineering Board of Kenya to ensure toilets in institutions and homes of people living with disabilities meet the building regulation needed to ensure easy use and accessibility to the disabled.
The Deputy Governor furthermore acknowledged the presence of partners with solutions to increasing chances of hearing through speech therapy intervention among deaf children in Nandi County.
Several PWDs offered their gratitude to the County Government for the immense help the devices will provide to them.
PWDs expressing their gratitude.
Ms Tecla Belion representing disabled women expressed her utmost gratitude to the government of Hon. Stephen Sang for being the first government in Nandi to attend to their plight.
“I want to praise God’s greatness which has made the helpless like me to be remembered today. Nobody has been keen to the plight of people living with disabilities but I thank God for changing the narrative through this government. Normally I don’t have a bicycle and when I am crawling for my mobility I usually pray to God to touch the government to provide wheelchairs for us and I am grateful to the leadership of Tuga Tai for making my dream come through. I have now gone to start a business because I am now mobile. May God bless the leadership of Tuga Tai.”
Tecla expressing her gratitude.
The release of the assistive devices was flagged off by His Excellency the Governor, Hon Stephen Sang together with his deputy Dr. Yulita Cheruiyot scouted by the CEC Social Welfare, Mr. Wilson Taai.
CECM in charge of Social Welfare, Mr. Wilson Taiy.
Photojournalist: Ms Phoebe Jeruto.