Tharaka youth raise money to educate visually impaired boy

A Five year old visually impaired boy Isaac Mutembei wakes by the side of his bed in a mud walled thatched house that barely protects him from cold where he spends night together with his aged grandmother. Youth in the region have teamed up and contribute more than Sh 80,000 to ensure he joins a special school. [PHOTO: KEVIN NGAI/STANDARD]

Meru: A youth lobby group has contributed more than Sh80, 000 to enable a five year old visually impaired boy join a special school.

The child, Isaac Mutembei, from Gatunga village in Tharaka Constituency lives with his aged grandmother in mud-walled thatched hut after he was abandoned by his Mother four years ago after she learnt of his plight.

It was not until when pictures and videos of the young boy singing to sympathizing tunes pleading for help to join school circulated widely on social media, when youths ganged up to heed to his call to quest his thirst for education.

Founder of the group which was recently set-up on the popular social networking site, whatsapp, Mr Henry Mugambi said it would bring people together youths to socialize, share ideas, as well as to assist vulnerable people in the community.

He said most children in the area more specifically the orphans and others with special needs are facing hardships in accessing education materials.

“These days’ people no longer socialize, you either meet at funerals and weddings or other functions and that is why we created this platform to bring people together to help one of our own,” he said.

The movement dubbed Isaac heroes plans to cater for the school fees for the young boy at St Lucy School for the blind in Igoji, Meru County as well as improve the living of her aged grandmother.

He will be enrolled to the school on Friday.

Group Secretary Mr Wilberforce Muriungi said the same gesture would be extended to needy children in various parts of the county who will be found to be vulnerable and in no position to fend themselves.

He pleaded with other youths who were not part of the initiative to emulate the example of their peers by assisting the needy and the elderly in the community.

“Today you have demonstrated that you are future leaders,” he said while he applauded the youth for their praiseworthy gesture.

However, in a separate function, MCA representing people living with disability, Ms Ruth Karea Mugao said the county government has not set aside any kitty to cater for their plights.