In its bid to enhance access to Economic Development activities through improved mobility, the Rotary Club of Mombasa Downtown donated clutches and walking aids in Kwale County to the physically challenged on Saturday 17th August 2019. Evidently moving from one point to the other is a key factor in any economic activity and hence making the movement easier for the physically challenged plays a bigger role in empowering them economically.
After receiving the items from our sister club RC Naivasha we had to do an extensive research in the coastal county to determine the needy areas. We found out that Kwale County has more than 6,000 physically challenged persons,who are in dare need of walking aids and other supporting devices. This impelled our club to seek audience with the Association of Persons with Disabilities of Kenya (APDK) office in the boarder county and ascertain how best we can donate the walking aids gadgets to the deserving cases. Despite the short notice to APDK and National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) offices in Kwale led by Mr. Ibrahim and Madam Joan Koima respectively were able to organize and gathered representation from all the constituencies in Kwale.
Speaking during the event the Kwale County Coordinator for persons with disabilities madam Joan, said that despite the many challenges facing the people with disability in Kwale, less than a billion shillings was allocated nationally to carter for them this financial year. She insisted the prerequisite for rotary clubs and other organizations to give a helping hand. “Since I was posted here about three years ago I have never seen such kind of gesture, and I would like on behalf of my team sincerely thank you so much for considering Kwale County”, added Joan.
On the other hand the President of the Rotary Club of Mombasa Downtown Hassan Mbondo, said that economic development is one of the areas of focus for Rotary International and it does not leave out the physical challenged in the community. The President told the physically challenged persons gathered during the event that RC Mombasa Downtown will partner with other rotary clubs especially in Kwale to address their issues where possible. They had raised various concerns including lack of a toilet in the whole county of Kwale that can accommodate the persons with disabilities.
Senior Rotarian Mr. Brian Twinamasiko of RC Bahari promised to work closely with RC Mombasa Downtown and Maeneo Legacy (Kwale CBO) to ensure we have at least one toilet in the County.
Smiles, clapping sounds and glorification of RC Mombasa Downtown from the receivers and APDK officials reigned the atmosphere as we started offloading the aids gadgets from our cars. Tears down their chins as they foresee the rays of good hope of ability beyond disability courtesy of the walking aids that were being handed over to their representatives- to many was a dream come true and answered prayer. The easiness to access their respective daily economic activities that had been made difficult due to ‘inability to Mobility’
Giving a vote of thanks one of the leaders of the persons with disability thanked RC Mombasa downtown and by extension the Rotary Club of Naivasha for the good gesture and asked for more engagements especially motivational talks, sensitization and awareness sessions.
In our part as rotary family, satisfaction subjugated our hearts knowing that we have played a big role towards one Rotary International area of focus, the Community Economic Development.
Also present during the noble event were RC Bamburi, RC Bahari and rotaractors from Youthzone and Bahari. The local leadership, Maeneo and SambaSports CBOs played a big role towards this successful worthy event.
People of Action
