Isiolo: The government has responded to a recent appeal for food support to a school for the visually impaired children in Isiolo County by donating 200 bags of maize and beans. An appeal by ‘We care CBO’ through its founder Amos Waqo, for the support of over 50 visually impaired learners at the Isiolo Integrated school for the visually impaired has received a boost after Principal Secretary State Department for Asal and Regional Development Kello Harsama sought the relief food.

According to Kenya News Agency, Waqo, who received the 200 bags of beans and maize at the school, said the donation will benefit the learners, some of whom are total orphans, thus enabling them to continue with their education. He said the organization will continue to mobilize parents from Isiolo and Marsabit counties to enroll children who are visually impaired at the center instead of confining them at home.

‘I am calling upon parents with visually impaired children to take advantage of the institution that not only provides a good space for learners but also monitors and conducts referrals for medical checkups,’ Waqo said. He also thanked PS Harsama for his quick response and urged other leaders and well-wishers to intervene to make sure the institution continues to run without hitches.

The institution, which was launched in February 2024, has already enrolled 50 children aged between 5 and 13 years. However, the school is facing financial challenges in meeting its operational and infrastructural needs. According to Waqo, sustaining the children remains a challenge since most of them come from vulnerable families and urged parents to bring such children to school so they can learn and realize their full potential.

The head of the institution, Rebecca Mwanjiru, highlighted that this is the only school in northern Kenya that caters to visually impaired learners. Mwanjiru called upon the stakeholders and the government to provide support, particularly in constructing proper pathways around the school to prevent visually impaired children from tripping and falling. She said the Ministry of Education had staffed the school adequately, ensuring that learning continues smoothly. She noted that although the ministry provides lunch support, the boarding students rely on well-wishers for food.

A special education teacher at the school, Amina Ibrahim, shared her journey of overcoming visual impairment to become a teacher, pointing out curriculum delays for visually impaired students and the cost of Braille materials and embossed papers.