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By Joyce Gathu
When Gladys Njeri accompanied a friend to visit a child with multiple disabilities in a small village in Mathira, Nyeri County, seven years ago, nothing had prepared her for the sight she saw.
Seated atop a rickety chair dripping with fresh and weeks old stool, was 14-year-old Caroline Kiana. Tens of flies buzzed around the drooling girl whose head hang on one side almost touching her shoulder.
"The girl sat on a chair where she had defecated with no one to clean after her or even help her go to the toilet," says Njeri.
Margaret Mugwaro (left) and Gladys Njeri (right) during the interview at the cheerful rehabilitation centre. [Photo/ Joyce Gathu]
The girl had cerebral palsy — a condition that affects muscle control and co-ordination, making movements such as standing and walking not only difficult, but also impossible in some cases. It can also lead to other health complications such as speech, vision and hearing impairment.
Kiana could see and hear, but she could not walk. She was living with her old and sick father, after her mother abandoned them.
"I couldn’t forget the girl, her misery, discomfort and isolation disturbed me for months," says Njeri.
This is what pushed Njeri to pursue a degree in Special Education in order to help children like Kiana.
Njeri, who is married with one child, joined forces with Margaret Mugwaro and formed Cheerful Special Programme Organisation and Rehabilitation Centre in Karatina, Nyeri County.
Although they began building the centre in 2005, it was not until 2007, when they began receiving children, Kiana being among the first.
Two years after entering the centre, Kiana lost her father.
A year later, her mother reappeared and claimed her daughter. That was the last time Njeri and Mugwaro saw Kiana and later, they were informed she had died.
The pain of losing Kiana, became their inspiration.
"We resolved to do our best to give these children a better life. They are not examined at the centre, only rehabilitated so that they can lead a normal life," explains Njeri.
When Kiana left the centre, she had learnt how to laugh, clap and was aware of her environment.
"Her wheelchair remains a souvenir, serving as reminder of many like her who are locked up in their houses and tethered like animals," Njeri says.
Unfortunately, Njeri says the death rate of disabled children who are shunned and hidden from the public is high due to neglect.
"Under our care, we have seen these children flourish. Currently, we have a 22-year-old boy who was also neglected but is now active and can look after himself with minimal supervision. This is a far cry from how he was when we first picked him," Njeri explains.
The centre catering for 25 children has only two teachers. Due to lack of capacity, they have at least 60 children who they visit regularly in their homes.
Availability of resources remains a major challenge as has been efforts to have more teachers posted to the centre. But these roadblocks have not dampened the women’s spirit.
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