By Sefu Sabila
Worth Noting:
- According to Wafula, unity among the community will propel them and get their voices heard by both county and national government. Wafula says this will make it easier to access opportunities such as education, registration into the PWDs new system.
- “We fighting for unity amongst ourselves, we need to be united. It’s hard fighting for se opportunities among ourselves. Those highly exposed will help others at lower levels of opportunities for PWDs, for instance currently PWDs are being registered into the new system at the Kitale Referral Hospital, this is an opportunity for our people to access medication and benefit from the Natembeya Care which we were granted by the governor.” He explained.
Persons living with disability (PWDs) have called upon the society to stop stigmatization and discrimination against the minority group in the country. The community has been calling for inclusivity and consideration in employment opportunities as well as leadership.
Youthful Dennis Wafula, chairperson of students with different disabilities at the Kitale National Polytechnic living with visually impairedness, says the discrimination and lack of awareness in the society is the major reason many PWDs are missing on opportunities available for the community.
“We still live in a society where there’s a lot of stigmatization among PWDs. The discrimination is so loud that many parents have ended up hiding their children from the rest of the society for fear of judgment and exclusion from society action. Which is a very saddening situation, as many of these children miss on many opportunities that are readily available for us PWDs?” Wafula said.
Wafula is currently pursuing Social Work and Community development at Kitale National Polytechnic, is also a Mc known by stage name Mr. D Mkenya, has not let his condition to keep him away from the society and achieving his dreams. He runs a YouTube channel, where he educates people about disability and how visually impaired persons can use technology to improve their lives. According to him his condition could not deter him from achieving his dreams.
“What many people don’t understand in our society is that one might be disabled, abled somewhere else. I educate my fellow colleagues on YouTube in how to be at per with the society in terms of technology, I also Mc events, it hurts when the society dubs us beggars when we can achieve and be of help to the society in different capacities. I don’t need sympathy; I need opportunities that are why I’m creating my space through YouTube, Mcing and music.” He explained.
“If I was not given this opportunity to study, then I would have been a burden to the society. This is why I use my capacity as the chairperson of the Young Voices in Trans Nzoia to encourage parents to come out and be counted.” He added.
According to Wafula, unity among the community will propel them and get their voices heard by both county and national government. Wafula says this will make it easier to access opportunities such as education, registration into the PWDs new system.
“We fighting for unity amongst ourselves, we need to be united. It’s hard fighting for se opportunities among ourselves. Those highly exposed will help others at lower levels of opportunities for PWDs, for instance currently PWDs are being registered into the new system at the Kitale Referral Hospital, this is an opportunity for our people to access medication and benefit from the Natembeya Care which we were granted by the governor.” He explained.
Mr. Wafula further encouraged parents to take their children to school, as it’s the gives them a voice at employment opportunities.
“Nowadays many adverts encourage PWDs to apply for jobs. We cannot secure these opportunities if we continue hiding ourselves and shunning from the public. You need to have a bargaining power, even if you’re given priority. Let this children get education opportunities like any other normal child.” Wafula stated.
Last week Friday, Trans Nzoia PWDs community joined the world in marking World World Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, themed accessibility for all, which was aimed at raising and creating awareness on the condition. The event was celebrates at the ACK St. Luke’s Cathedral in Hospital Ward in Saboti constituency.
Ensuring accessibility is of very important for the spina bifida and hydrocephalus community. Persons with this condition need access to adequate healthcare, social services, and further opportunities to empower individuals with SBH to fully participate in society, realise their potential, and lead fulfilling lives. Were among issues discussed by the Trans Nzoia Community of PWDs on Friday.
Mt Kenya Times