Stakeholder Meeting and Training Initiatives for Social and Educational Integration of Children with Disabilities
In an important step toward inclusive development, a stakeholder meeting and two rounds of online training sessions were recently conducted to support the implementation of the project titled:
“Social and Educational Integration for Children with Disabilities in Bogobogo Informal Settlement, Jomvu Sub-County, Mombasa County.”
This initiative aims to create a coordinated, community-driven framework that ensures children with disabilities in the underserved Bogobogo area are fully integrated into education and community life. The project is being carried out through the collaboration of three key development organizations:
- APDK – Association for the Physically Disabled of Kenya
- MNU – Maji na Ufanisi
- HCSOM – Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta
The partnership underscores a collective commitment to disability inclusion, social justice, and child rights, especially in under-resourced informal urban areas.
Purpose and Objectives of the Stakeholder Meeting
Held as a precursor to implementation, the stakeholder meeting brought together project partners, local authorities, educators, community health personnel, and disability advocates. The primary goal was to align all key actors and define a shared vision for successful integration of children with disabilities into both formal education systems and community-based services in Bogobogo.
Key Objectives:
- Present and review the project’s goals, timelines, and expected outcomes
- Map available services, identify gaps, and plan joint interventions
- Establish coordination structures among partners and community gatekeepers
- Define roles of each stakeholder, particularly around inclusive education, mobility aids, therapy, and health outreach
- Promote community acceptance, reduce stigma, and increase local ownership
Partner Organizations and Their Roles
APDK – Lead on Medical and Therapy Support
APDK is offering technical expertise in identifying, assessing, and supporting children with disabilities. Their role includes:
- Mobilizing children with physical and developmental disabilities for screening
- Providing assistive devices (wheelchairs, walkers, hearing aids, etc.)
- Training parents and CHPs on home-based therapy
- Linking children to APDK’s ongoing outpatient clinics in Mombasa
Maji na Ufanisi (MNU) – Local Coordination and Community Outreach
MNU brings deep local knowledge of Jomvu Sub-County, where they have long worked on WASH, disability, and social inclusion. Their role includes:
- Community mobilization and mapping of CHPs (Community Health Promoters)
- Organizing outreach clinics and awareness events
- Facilitating school-based disability inclusion advocacy
- Liaising with county government departments for support
Hungary Charity Service of the Order of Malta (HCSOM) – Technical and Financial Support
HCSOM contributes:
- Project design and development funding
- International best practices on special needs integration
- Monitoring, documentation, and reporting
- Knowledge sharing with similar interventions in Eastern Africa and Europe
Participants in the Stakeholder Engagement
The stakeholder meeting brought together:
- Representatives from County Government of Mombasa (Department of Health, Education, and Social Services)
- School head teachers and education officers from Jomvu sub-county
- Parents of children with disabilities from Bogobogo and surrounding settlements
- Community Health Promoters (CHPs)
- Local youth and women’s groups involved in child protection
- Members of APDK, MNU, and HCSOM project teams
- Disability Rights Advocates and experts on inclusive education
These diverse participants enriched the discussion and helped tailor the project to real local needs, ensuring a contextualized and community-driven approach.
Online Training Sessions for CHPs and Teachers
Following the stakeholder meeting, two virtual training sessions were held to prepare frontline actors—Community Health Promoters (CHPs) and teachers—for their roles in the upcoming implementation phase.
Training 1: Foundations of Disability Inclusion
- Introduction to the concept of disability from a rights-based perspective
- Understanding the medical and social models of disability
- Common types of disabilities in children (physical, sensory, cognitive, developmental)
- Stigma reduction and positive language
- Role of CHPs and teachers in identification, support, and referrals
Training 2: Practical Tools for Inclusive Support
- Classroom accommodations and differentiated learning
- Home-based therapy and caregiver empowerment
- Coordination between schools, clinics, and families
- Confidentiality, ethics, and cultural sensitivity in disability interventions
- Monitoring progress and documenting cases
Methodology
- Interactive Zoom sessions with real-time Q&A
- Case study reviews
- Use of local Kiswahili/English translation for accessibility
- PDF training toolkits shared post-session
- WhatsApp-based follow-up group for continued mentorship
Outcomes and Commitments
The trainings and stakeholder sessions yielded several tangible outcomes:
- CHPs and teachers reported increased confidence in handling children with disabilities
- A referral directory was developed linking CHPs, schools, APDK, and local hospitals
- Baseline data tools were distributed for tracking enrolled children
- Local school heads pledged classroom adjustments and community awareness events
- CHPs agreed to prioritize disability screening during household visits
- Plans were initiated for a disability-inclusive sanitation facility at a nearby school
This collaborative model is now poised to become a pilot framework for disability integration in other parts of Mombasa and potentially across Kenya.
The Way Forward
The partners agreed to the following next steps:
- Field screening camps to be held in May 2025 for identifying and profiling children
- Launch of school inclusion program, with training for classmates and parents
- Resource mobilization for mobility aids, educational materials, and therapy
- Development of a mid-year monitoring report to track progress and challenges
- Documentation of case studies and learning for dissemination at national forums
The collaboration has laid a strong foundation for long-term inclusion and empowerment of children with disabilities in Jomvu.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the goal of the Bogobogo disability inclusion project?
To promote social and educational integration of children with disabilities in Bogobogo informal settlement, ensuring they access health, education, and community services.
2. Which organizations are implementing the project?
The project is a partnership among APDK, Maji na Ufanisi (MNU), and Hungary Charity Service of the Order of Malta (HCSOM).
3. Where is the project being implemented?
In Bogobogo informal settlement, located in Jomvu Sub-County, Mombasa County, Kenya.
4. Who are Community Health Promoters (CHPs)?
CHPs are trained individuals from the community who provide basic health education and referral services at the household level.
5. What training did CHPs and teachers receive?
They were trained on disability awareness, inclusive education practices, home-based support, and how to refer children for specialized services.
6. What types of disabilities are being addressed?
The project addresses physical, cognitive, sensory, and developmental disabilities among children.
7. How are schools involved in the project?
Schools are being trained to support inclusive classrooms, identify children with disabilities, and work with CHPs and families.
8. What support will children with disabilities receive?
They may receive mobility aids, therapy, school accommodations, and health services depending on assessed needs.
9. What role does the government play in the project?
County officials from Health, Education, and Social Services are actively involved in coordination, resource support, and policy alignment.
10. Is this a long-term program?
Yes, the project is designed as a scalable model with potential replication in other informal settlements across Kenya.
