By Lorraine Anyango
It was a day of song and dance at Ogwedhi PAG Primary School as a new door of opportunity opened for children living with disabilities. The school officially commissioned an Intermediate Special Needs classroom, marking a significant milestone in the journey toward inclusive education in Kisumu County.
The facility was constructed under the ‘Barrier-Free KOICA-MIRAL Project’ and comes fully equipped with specialized desks, play materials, skill-building tools, and assistive technologies. The unit, which also includes a teacher’s room and secure storage, currently serves 12 intermediate learners, providing them with a respectful and supportive learning environment.
Speaking on behalf of the Governor of Kisumu, the Chief Officer for the Department of Education, Mr. Bovince Ochieng, emphasized that the project reinforces the fundamental right to learning.
“By opening this classroom, we are affirming an important principle: that education is a basic right for every child, regardless of their physical or cognitive ability,” Mr. Ochieng stated. “This is a symbol of equality and dignity. By placing such a facility within a public school, we encourage learners with and without disabilities to grow together.”
Beyond the classroom, the Miral Welfare Foundation Kenya has also provided a two-door, disability-friendly washroom with a hand-washing station and an additional foundation-level classroom that accommodates another 12 learners.
Children with disabilities often face severe stigma, with many kept at home and denied access to healthcare and education. Sarah Bae, Director of the Miral Welfare Foundation Kenya, noted that the journey to this point has not been easy.
“We had to confront the cold stigma of a society that often viewed disability as a deficiency or even a curse,” Ms. Bae said. “It took a tremendous amount of time and effort to help children isolated behind invisible walls to emerge into the world.”
Since registering as an INGO in Kenya in 2013 and starting operations in Kisumu in 2017, Miral now supports over 1,060 orphans and vulnerable children, reaching 5,000 community members.
The impact of the partnership with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) is becoming increasingly visible. As the project enters its second phase, 88 children with disabilities have enrolled in supported special schools, neighboring schools are voluntarily joining the inclusive education movement, the number of children seeking educational assessments at the Educational Assessment and Resource Center (EARC) is rising annually.
“This classroom is not just a building; it is a door of opportunity,” Ms. Bae added, addressing the students. “I hope you will dream without limits, challenge yourselves without fear, and realize your greatest potential.”
The handover ceremony was attended by the Deputy Director of KOICA, the National Director for Special Needs Education, and various government officials, alongside proud parents and pupils.
