By Lorraine Anyango
In a move to combat the staggering 75% dropout rate among children with disabilities, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Miral Welfare Foundation have officially handed over a new Intermediate Special Education Classroom at Ogwedhi School.
The ceremony, held on Friday, March 13, was a vibrant affair filled with music, dance, and a shared vision for inclusive education in Kisumu County.
In regions like Nyando, the scarcity of specialized facilities often forces children with disabilities to abandon their education after primary school. Currently, only one in six children with disabilities is enrolled in school—a statistic Ms. Hwayeong Bae, Deputy Country Director of KOICA Kenya, says must change.
“This cycle had to be broken,” Ms. Bae announced during the handover. “Our goal is not only to provide a building, but to create opportunities. We want to empower children to participate fully in society and change public perceptions about disability.”
The project, funded by the Government of the Republic of Korea, has been implemented in two strategic phases, establishment of the Foundation Level Special Classroom to initiate the learning journey and completion of the fully furnished Intermediate Special Classroom.
With both facilities now operational, Ogwedhi PAG School offers a continuous, stable learning environment that prevents students from falling through the cracks as they progress.
The initiative goes beyond the classroom, aiming to link families to essential health services and sustainable livelihoods. Ms. Bae emphasized that education is the ultimate tool for self-advocacy.
“In the classroom, students will learn their rights and discover their talents,” she said. “When we support a child with a disability, we strengthen the entire community.”
The event was attended by high-ranking officials, including: The Chief Officer of the Kisumu County Department of Education, Directors from the National Government Special Needs Education office, The Kisumu County ECD Director and Leadership and staff from the Miral Welfare Foundation.
As the ceremony concluded, KOICA reaffirmed its commitment to the global vision of “Leaving No One Behind,” ensuring that the children of Nyando have a clear path from the classroom to a confident, independent future.
