The agony of a visually impaired family missing school due to fees

Grace Jerotich and her children Benson Kiplimo and Lynne Jebet all living with partial blindness at their rural home Kapyemit Nandi. [Christopher Kipsang, Standard] With students resuming their second term after a short mid-term break, two visually impaired siblings from Kabiemit, Mosop sub-County in Nandi are still at home due to fees arrears. Benson Kiplimo 17, and his sister Lynne Chebet 14, students at St Oda School for the Blind in Siaya have remained distressed. Their mother Grace Jerotich, also partially blind says her children's future is at stake as she cannot afford to pay their school fees which has accrued to over Sh400,000. Jerotich's four out of five children are visually impaired. Her daughter, Yvonne Cheptoo studies at the Thika School for the Blind with well-wishers sponsoring her education. Her lastborn daughter Audrey 8, also suffers from the same condition. The single mother is hopeful that her children will be independent and cater for themselves only if they get a good education and excel. She said partial blindness has ailed her family for decades since her mother and her four siblings suffer the same condition. "I do not want my children to end up depending on other people in future. I want them to get a better chance in education, unlike us who were forced to drop out of school for lack of school fees, I hope that the same fate that I faced does not catch up with them," said Jerotich. The 42-year-old said she suffered poor vision due to cataracts, which also affected her children. The family members use white canes to aid their mobility since they experience blurred vision making it difficult for them to focus. Jerotich said her husband left when he realised their children's condition. "He left never to be seen again. We do not know about his whereabouts and he has never offered any support. These children only have me," she said. After undergoing cataract surgeries, Jerotich said her children still have cloudy vision and had to go to a special school and learn using braille. The mother who does menial jobs said the special schools are expensive and although her children are bright, she needs help to educate them since she cannot afford them singlehandedly. "I have knocked on many doors, but help seems elusive. My family has been reduced to suffering but I am still hopeful my children will study well and change our lives," Jerotich said. She said despite several efforts to access education bursaries, her children have not benefitted. She said living with a disability has been tough for her family, claiming some neighbours even avoid her like the plague, fearing the medical condition is due to a curse. "Sometimes, I feel like losing hope but I am strong for my children. In some instances, someone claimed I am using my disability as a rubber stamp to seek favours. This was disheartening but I find strength to forge forward because I love my children. I do not wish that they were any other way," she stated. Jerotich noted that if empowered, she can do so many jobs and start a business to fend for her children. She called on well-wishers to help her secure a job or start a business. "The only challenge that I have is lack of capital. With a business, I will be able to educate my children so that they too can be respectable people in society who will lead a meaningful life," she noted. Kiplimo, a class eight said he has faced many challenges growing up as a visually impaired child. He said it is challenging for him to revise at home since his school has a few braille books that cannot be shared with all the students. "The braille books we have in school are few and we cannot take them home with us," he said. Chebet, a junior high school student who dreams of becoming a lawyer said she looks forward to helping people living with disabilities to ensure that their rights are not violated. Salina Biama, a neighbour, said special schools should be fully funded so that children get a chance to acquire an education. lkolongei@standardmedia.co.ke

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