Christmas came early to 30 persons with disabilities, 140 needy students and pupils, as well as 10 women engaging in illicit activities in Trans Nzoia County.
The 180 persons received gifts from a Kitale-based watch repairer and seller, Bernard Juma.
Speaking exclusively to Uasin Gishu News, Juma said his passion for helping the needy is informed by his understanding of these people’s hardships.
The father of a physically challenged boy said his act of generosity is in tandem with the Christmas season’s call for extending love to the needy in society.
Kitale watch repairer gifts student his shoes
He surprised many when he removed his black leather shoes and handed them over to a needy student at St. Teresa’s Boys’ secondary school Bikeke.
“I give not because I have enough but I give because I know and truly understand what it means to lack. I therefore chose to make them smile because Christ taught us so,” Juma said.
He holds the opinion that although Kenya gained independence, people with disabilities are not yet independent.
“If they were really independent, they would be having their parking spaces respected, treated with decorum and even special schools in every sub-county if not every county,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Kitale philanthropist called on the government to ensure that all the buildings are disability friends, enforce the 5% tenders and opportunities to people with disabilities and ensure that they are properly represented in both elective and appointed posts.
“I get very sad whenever I see people with disabilities struggling to get services from disability-unfriendly buildings, or they are discriminated against. Such acts are not good for our country,” he stated.
Kitale PWDs call for government support
Jane Simiyu, one of the beneficiaries and a mother to a physically challenged child said raising her child is a serious struggle.
“My husband left us as soon as he learnt that our child has a disability. I have been struggling to raise my child and I can tell it is not easy. Sometimes circumstances force me to hide him, go out so that we can have something on our table,” Simiyu revealed.
Her sentiments were echoed by Winnie Asima, mother to a child with hearing impairment.
She appealed to the government to give them business start-up capital as a way of empowering them.
“Some of us have business skills, all we need is capital from government. Others have some technical skills and they need start-up kits so that they keep themselves busy and at the end of the day get something for their children,” Asima appealed.
What did Bernard Juma give to the vulnerable?
Students and learners received school bags, stationeries and some personal effects while people with disabilities received assistive devices, food items, and sanitary towels among other necessities.
In addition, some women who had been engaging in the preparation and sale of illicit liquor and prostitution received business start-up capital.
This happened during the fourth edition of Bernard Juma Disability Marathon International held at Bikeke Primary School grounds. The race is meant to sensitise Kenyans about disability.
