Towards inclusive and resilient communities
|
|
Dear friends and partners,
The first quarter of 2021 has been pivotal for us at The Action Foundation as we increased the reach of our programs and reviewed the year's strategy following the disruptions caused by the pandemic. While there is indeed a lot that remains to be determined, we remain hopeful and focused on meeting the crucial needs of our communities.
We are excited about the start of a new decade of impact as we work towards being catalysts of change in the lives of the children, women and girls that we serve. In December 2020, we marked our 10th Anniversary with a food distribution exercise and a virtual celebration with the support of our partners and friends.
With the harsh realities of COVID-19, we are thankful for your the generous support that has not only made it possible to provide crucial supplies to families but also build resilience and support livelihoods.
We are incredibly grateful for you and your continued support and encouragement as we walk this journey together.
Keep safe and healthy!
|
|
Supporting children with disabilities during COVID-19
In the midst of COVID 19 pandemic, provision of rehabilitation services to children with disabilities remains crucial to avoid regression of milestones. Together with a working group comprising rehabilitation professionals, persons with disability, parents of children with disability and organizations working with/for people with disabilities, we developed considerations to not only ensure continued provision of therapy services, but also ensure that the therapists are well able to protect themselves, as well as the children they attend to and their caregivers from risks of contracting the virus
New therapy centre!
TAF opened a new therapy centre in Kawangware Slum that will enable the children from the area and its environs to access rehabilitation services that are crucial in the achievement of their developmental milestones. This followed a situational analysis and expressed need for occupational therapy by the parents and partner schools from the region.
Preventing violence against women and girls with disabilities in urban informal settlements
Women and girls with disabilities experience violence at disproportionately higher rates and in unique forms owing to discrimination and stigma on grounds of gender, traditional gender roles, cultural obstacles and disability. They face an increased risk of experiencing violence at the hands of family members, intimate partners or others living within their homes due to the negative economic and social impacts of the pandemic. We are honored to have received renewed support from Womenstrong International to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls with disabilities in Kibera and Kawangware slums. In partnership with Womenstrong, we will build the self-advocacy skills of 240 women and girls as well as work with men and boys to change perceptions that perpetuate gender-based violence.
Supporting mobility of children with disabilities through Appropriate Paper-Based Technology (APT)
In a bid to provide affordable mobility devices and learning materials to children with physical and development disabilities, we successfully built a production workshop with funding from Safaricom Foundation, Power Yoga Canada Mississauga and AYP. As part of our Recycle to Transform Project, our team has been extensively trained in Appropriate Paper-based technology, a technique which utilizes recycling of waste paper and enhancing it to make various devices and adapted furniture items.
Somesha Program awarded to create accessible child-friendly stories for early literacy and inclusive education
Nurturing positive parenting practices
Funded by Comic Relief, "Tuwalinde", our caregiving and safeguarding project aims to promote responsive caregiving of children with disabilities in informal settlements and enhancing their safety and protection. Among our key project learning areas, we seek to find out how fathers can take an active role parenting their CWDs We recently had a conversation with Upward Bound Company Limited about our progress in engaging fathers.
Building the resilience of caregivers of children with disabilities and women with disabilities
In January 2021, we kicked off the Ibuka Skills Program, at The Action Foundation Hub and Workshop where we provide training and skills development for caregivers of CWDs and women with disabilities. Short courses are offered include basic computer literacy, vocational tailoring and fashion design, food production and baking classes, hairdressing and nail art. These are coupled with life-skills training, career coaching and mentorship Along with the skills training to improve the entrepreneurial and employability skills
Teacher professional development
As part of our efforts to promote inclusive early childhood education, we conducted a series of virtual and in person workshops with school heads, ECD and Special Needs Education teachers from our partner schools. The trainings were part of a 2-year project we are implementing dubbed “Early Childhood Care and Education for All” with support of OSIEA. The trainings covered various topics such as child friendly schools, resource mobilization, universal design for learning, resource material development among other key areas. During school visits and review meetings, we have recorded progress in application of knowledge gained and teachers reported increased confidence in meeting the needs of learners with additional needs. Watch this video by OSIEA on how Inclusive Education enables all children to realize their full potential. The video features a TAF Partner school in Kawangware Slum.
Partnership with CARDIMED Global Health Foundation
CARDIMED Global Health Foundation is an independent foundation based in Maastricht, Netherlands that supports people who need medical assistance. We received a 10,000 EUR donation from CARDIMED to support the medical needs of children in our programs including medication and pediatric care. Through the grant, we have provided an annual supply colostomy bags for Angeline*, a girl in our Ibuka mentorship program.
Ibuka Skills Program!
|
|
|
Poonum Wilkhu, Chair of the board of Directors
Poonum is a clinical pharmacist with experience in community development, policy making & academic sectors.
Poonum has worked in the NHS, WHO & UN in a number of roles and is also the founder of Health Directorate. Currently residing in the U.K.,Poonum was born and raised in Kenya and is a dedicated advocate for the vulnerable & socially excluded. She is committed to supporting TAF towards improving the life course of children with disabilities
|
|
Caregivers celebrate opening of the Tunza Therapy Centre in Kawangware
|
|
Using Appropriate Paper Based Technology to make a sitting aid for a child
|
|
First cohort of basic computer literacy lessions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|