By Okoth Otieno
At least 114 wheelchairs have been distributed to children with disabilities across parts of Homa Bay County over the past two years through interventions led by special needs teacher and autism specialist Carolyn Kisuge.
The support, coordinated by Kisuge through her organization Jonathan Rays of Hope in partnership with Litein Mission Hospital, targets vulnerable children across the Nyanza region.
“In many rural areas, children lack mobility aids and are forced to crawl, exposing them to injuries and limiting access to education,” Kisuge said.
In 2024, the partnership facilitated the distribution of 33 wheelchairs in Mfangano, followed by 71 wheelchairs in 2025 at Rusinga Highland in Nyamunga Special School. The most recent outreach at Nyaburi Special School saw 10 wheelchairs issued to selected learners, alongside professional fitting of artificial limbs for beneficiaries.
Organizers said the latest distribution reached a limited number of children after a donor returned to the United States following a family bereavement, leaving several cases pending. “We are mobilizing additional resources so that the children who missed out can also receive support,” Kisuge said.
Jonathan Rays of Hope, now in its fourth year of operation, conducts community outreach to identify children with disabilities, including those neglected or confined at home, and facilitates their enrollment in school through assessments conducted with Educational Assessment Resource Persons under the Ministry of Education.
About 50 learners have been placed in various schools this year, including Nyaburi Special School, which has admitted children from low-income families and waived fees to ease the financial burden on parents.
Kisuge emphasized that professionally fitted wheelchairs are critical for safety and long-term health. “Properly fitted mobility aids prevent accidents and complications, and caregivers are trained on handling and transfer techniques to avoid physical strain,” she said.
Key challenges affecting children with disabilities include lack of birth certificates and essential documentation, financial constraints among families, limited specialized learning institutions for learners with complex needs, and low awareness among parents on placement options.
Kisuge called on the government to strengthen early identification and tracking of children with disabilities through community health systems. “Support should begin in infancy and continue into adulthood so that no child is left behind,” she said.
Beneficiaries and caregivers said the support has improved mobility, dignity, and access to learning for affected children.