Amani Self-Help Group at Marereni

Simon Gunga, the Coordinator of this group had a dream about bringing people with disabilities together. Another lady in the church told him she had the same dream. The dream told them to look for the children with disabilities and their caregivers. They went from house to house to find them. They talked to each other and found that they all had different skills and talents. Some wove baskets; some kept bees; others did farming. They found support for their children with disabilities from a local NGO – Kuhenza for the children Foundation. But they needed support for the caregivers and so they registered with Walezi Foundation Kenya.

Chadi cares for her son Lamic who is 8 years old. The grandmother also helps out. Lamic spends much of his time lying on the ground because he cannot hold his head up or sit on his own. His Mama has to carry him everywhere.

Dhahabu cares for her grandson, David who is 7 years old. David is dependent on his grandmother for all his daily needs.  She carries him to the meetings on her back so that she can be part of the group and get support from the other members.

Lewis is a four year old boy with cerebral palsy. His mother caters for all his basic needs. She has limited time for other house chores because Lewis needs 24 hour care. He is supposed to be taken for therapy at the sub-county hospital. Fares to and from the hospital are a problem. The group helps out where possible.

Riziki is 9 years old. Her development has been slow and she is dependent on her mother for all the activities of daily living. The mother finds feeding her child a challenge. The mother is on her own with no reliable source of income. Even taking her child twice a week for therapy at the local county hospital becomes impossible without the fare for transport. Sometimes the group is able to help out.