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Nairobi, Kenya
In the heart of Kibera, one of Kenya’s largest urban slums, life can be a daily struggle. For families living with disability, the challenges are even more daunting. Damaging myths, deep-seated cultural beliefs, and pervasive stigma often lead to children with disabilities being isolated and their families shunned. In this harsh environment, hope can seem distant.
Edmund Rice Centre Nairobi (ERCN) offers education, life skills, vocational training, and a lifeline of support for those who need it most. The Centre’s mission is rooted in the belief that every child, regardless of their abilities, deserves the chance to learn, grow, and lead a life of dignity. Parents and caregivers, who often share the societal stigma of disability, find strength in the Centre’s peer support groups and training.
For many, like Evelyn*, a mother of a child with an intellectual disability, these programs have been transformative.
“Before joining the peer support groups provided by ERCN, I often felt isolated and unsure of how to best support my child,” she shares. “The stigma and lack of understanding in our community made finding the help we needed difficult. However, the peer support groups have been a lifeline for me. Being able to share my experiences and hear from other parents who are going through similar situations has been incredibly reassuring.”
At ERCN, parents are active participants. They gain a community network and essential life skills to support their children and become advocates for disability rights and inclusion.
“The mental health training sessions have been invaluable,” Evelyn says. “They’ve equipped me with strategies to manage stress and improve my own well-being, which in turn helps me to be a better caregiver for my child. Thanks to ERCN, I feel more confident and supported as a parent.”
The work of Edmund Rice Centre Nairobi is about more than just providing immediate relief; it’s about creating lasting change by empowering individuals and communities to take control of their futures.
For the children with disabilities who now have a safe space to learn and grow, and for the families who are no longer alone in their struggles, ERCN represents the promise of a brighter tomorrow. The Centre’s unwavering commitment addresses the barriers of stigma in the broader community.
Entire families face significant challenges and prejudice due to damaging popular myths and deeply rooted cultural beliefs surrounding children with disabilities. Edmund Rice Centre Nairobi is working hard to support families and advocate for disability equity in communities.
