Mary Rice Day Care Centre

The Mary Rice Day Care Centre supports children with physical and intellectual disabilities from the Kibera slum, which is located approximately 5km from central Nairobi. Kibera has been described as one of the most crowded places on earth and estimates of its population vary widely from around 250,000 to as high as 1 million. Life in Kibera is characterised by extreme poverty, few or no basic services and high rates of crime and unemployment. 
 Hand Therapy

The Mary Rice Centre (MRC) was commenced in 2007 by two young African Christian Brothers and is named after Edmund Rice’s daughter, Mary, who from birth lived with a form of disability. Through assistance with the development of living and social skills, MRC enables children with disabilities to develop confidence, independence and dignity. Educational, creative and recreational activities assist with transition to mainstream schooling and vocational training. MRC works with local communities to improve understanding of disability and break down stigmas. Workshops help parents with the care of their disabled family member and parent networks foster mutual support.  

In November 2010, MRC’s premises was unexpectedly, compulsorily acquired by the Kenya Government for major road construction. A considerable achievement has been the successful transition to accommodation in the St Charles Lwanga Primary School, where MRC reopened in February 2011 amid great local community celebration. MRC’s new location has significant advantages in terms of the integration of children into mainstream schooling.  

The Centre is staffed by a nurse, teacher and therapist all of whom are part-time. The current supervisor is Australian, Br Russell Peters, who is assisted by two African Christian Brothers. It is hoped that additional funding will enable the hours of the Centre’s professional staff to be increased and ongoing capacity building for the Centre’s staff is a priority during 2011.
 Parents, Staff & Children, Re-opening Celebrations

For a detailed Profile of Mary Rice Day Care Centre, click on Profile – Mary Rice Day Care Centre

The Foundation’s Mary Rice Centre photo set may be found at http://www.flickr.com/photos/erfoundation/sets/72157626543607758/