In 2021 Ms Erin Hegarty from Mama Respond International was the guest speaker at an Applecross Rotary weekly meeting. Her presentation resonated with Applecross Rotary and a fruitful program came to life.

Article by Rtn Chris Whelan, Applecross Rotary, D9423

Over the next 26 months Applecross Rotary worked with Mama Respond to raise +A$200,000 funds; to design, build and fit out a new special needs unit at the Noonkopir Primary School, complete with ambulant toilets, therapy, and sensory innovation rooms, a home economics capacity and three classrooms that can accommodate up to 90 children with special needs. The now completed faculties will be operated and funded by the Kenyan Government Ministry of Education.

The program involved a collaboration of 15 Rotary Clubs, in 4 Rotary Districts, on 3 Continents. The Rotary Foundation funded two Global Grants, (GG2342279 and GG2233173) with total value A$115,000. The three major projects were each completed within budget and ahead of schedule. The Kenyan Rotary Clubs of Embakasi and Stoni Athi lead the in-country activities.

Applecross Rotary and Mama Respond prepared an application to the Australian Government DFAT, who subsequently provided funds of A$70,000 to build the Special Needs Unit Building. In a similar way, Applecross Rotary helped Mama Respond’s program with Global Giving that collected public donations of US$10,000. These funds allowed other elements of the program to be completed during 2022.

An unexpected outcome from this program has been the number of mothers who have stepped forward to present their child with special needs into the school system. This is largely driven by their perception that the new ambulant toilet facilities allow their child some appropriate dignity if at school. At start the program had 14 mothers in that cadre. Today there are 60+ kids who have better life prospects by getting into the education system.  

This learning underpins the next phase of the program: how ambulant toilet facilities can be positioned over existing latrine facilities at other schools in Kenya that accept disable student enrollments. The idea will be explored in the coming year. Meanwhile the Kitengela mothers, known as “Strong Mamas”, will benefit from the trailing funds available from the unused contingency in both global grants.