Persons with disabilities walk from Nanyuki to Nairobi to raise funds

Members of Great Hope team who are walking from Nanyuki to Nairobi to raise funds to build a training school outside Thika West Deputy County Commissioner's office on 22/11/2016. [PHOTO BY KAMAU MAICHUHIE].

A group of people living with disability have embarked on a walk from Nanyuki to Nairobi town in order to raise funds to build a training institution.

The group dubbed Great Hope says the money raised courtesy of the walk will be used in putting up a facility that will enable them acquire, educate and equip themselves and other people in similar predicament with skills necessary to earn a decent living.

Speaking in Thika town when they paid a courtesy call to the area Deputy County Commissioner, the group said the walk which started on November 13, at Nanyuki central park is scheduled to end in Nairobi November 26, 2016.

"With the proceeds from the walk, we hope to build a training school for the people living with debility in Soboiga, Meru County where a group of women who were going to visit people living with disability had an accident. Some died and others are now living with disability," said Joseph Mugendi one of the group members.

He said facility will be put up on a piece of land the seventh day Adventist church helped purchase in the area.

Pastor James Kamau, a member of the group said once complete, the institute will also be used to enlighten people with special needs on various opportunities that are targeted to benefit them.

He called on parents of children with special needs to stop hiding them as there are many programs aimed at assisting them.

"For those parents with children living with disability, I call on them to register them with National Council for People living with Disability so that they can be recognized by the government. This will also help them get benefits like being exempted from paying taxes if they are in business," said Kamau.