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Concerns have been raised over the influx of abandoned disabled children in Juja, Kiambu.
Dr Marion Karimi who runs a rescue and rehabilitation centre for disabled children decried that in recent years the number of physically challenged children has been on the rise.
Karimi who is currently rehabilitating 177 disabled children rescued from different parts of the country noted that the children are usually being misused by unknown individuals to beg on the streets.
“Our work is to rehabilitate those who are rescued after being abandoned and then reintegrate them with their families. However, we’ve noted with concern that the number of children is increasing at alarming levels. The government should intervene,” Karimi said.
She spoke at World Wide Ministries Church in Theta ward on Sunday during her thanksgiving ceremony after receiving an honorary degree for her 17-year service to disabled kids in the country.
Dr Karimi averred that most physically handicapped children are suffering in silence after being neglected and locked up in their homes noting that her group has embarked on a campaign to sensitize parents with such children on the need to expose them for help.
“There’s help out here for disabled kids and their parents, there are NGOs and the government that are ready and willing to help rehabilitate and educate the kids. There are opportunities to help the children grow and even realize their dreams because they too have talents and dreams,” she said.
While noting that parents with such children undergo challenges in taking care of them including providing for their basic needs, Karimi urged the national and county governments to consider putting up rehabilitation centres for the handicapped in all subcounties where they can be taken care of as parents fed for their families.
“Parents face a lot of challenges while bringing up physically challenged children and even end up being psychologically stressed. These children require a lot of attention and this makes it difficult for the parents to even go to work. We need such centres that can be taking care of the kids as the parents work to provide for their families,” she said.
Her sentiments were echoed by Rev Francis Muhia who urged parents not to hide their disabled children.
Muhia also called on the government to make interventions that will facilitate educating handicapped children noting fewer schools train physically challenged children in the country and that the few ones that are there are too costly.
Aaron Gachanja who works at the rescue centre said that to effectively aid and empower the disabled, the community must embrace them and their families and help end the stigma that most parents suffer.
“They believe that having a disabled kid is a curse and this is why most of them abandon them in hospitals, streets or even lock them up in their homes. We must embrace them and accord them the necessary support,” Gachanja said.
However, a children’s officer in Juja subcounty who requested anonymity said that the matter is under investigation to establish and unravel the individuals who have been bringing the children to the town early in the morning.
“Those rescued are usually taken to the rescue home for help as we establish their families for a reunion,” the officer said. BY THE STAR