The National Fund for Disabled of Kenya has moved to empower persons with disability in Kwale with tools for different trades.
The PWDs received vocational tools to enable them improve livelihoods and socioeconomic growth.
At least 33 persons from Kinango, Matuga and Msambweni have benefitted from the programme.
NFDK advocacy, publicity and fundraising assistant manager Sharon Wairimu said the tools were worth Sh800,000.
They included sewing machines, parasols, shoe making, salons, barbershops, bikes and motorcycle repairing equipment and ploughing tools.
Other equipment were mobility aids and rehabilitative equipment to support the beneficiaries navigate easily as they do their daily income-generating activities.
Wairimu said the programme intends to enhance and empower PWDs to be self-dependent and resilient to poverty since the majority suffer for lacking survival means.
"We have been running our programmes within the Coast region and today we are in Kwale to hand over tools of trade to PWDs to support their lives," she said.
Wairimu said most of the beneficiaries had their lives rendered miserable by the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
She said the tools will provide the PWDs with the necessary support to recover from the Post-Covid era and better their lives.
The officer said many disabled people are talented and have mastered good technical skills but lack empowerment and financial assistance.
She said the programme is committed to offering them small and big grants to support the lives of persons living with disabilities economically.
Wairimu said the big grants entail flagship projects of infrastructural development of learning institutions to accommodate learners with disabilities.
"We also construct classrooms, dormitories, kitchens and dining halls to support disabled children," she said.
She said they intend to ensure that PWDs have access to equal opportunities to strengthen inclusion and close the gap of marginalisation.
Wairimu urged the beneficiary to make good use of the donated equipment to transform their lives.
The officer underscored the need for the PWDs to take advantage of the public offices and funds designed to promote their welfare.
She warned the PWDs against selling the tools or storing them until they get worn out with rust.
The assistant manager said they will be monitoring and evaluating the progress of the beneficiaries to keep them in check and ensure the tools serve the intended purpose and efficiently benefit the targeted group.
Beneficiary Obliya Wedo, who received a sewing machine, said the tools will help her sustain herself and fend for the family.
The mother of five said she will now apply her best sewing skills to make quality clothes for sale to get money.
"I feel very happy, I had the skills but lacked equipment, with this machine I see a lot of wealth," she said.
The 50-year-old said she will look for tenders in different institutions to support her business and grow socio-economically.
Another beneficiary Mutuku Mutua said he will use the tools to grow his shoe-making and repairing business.
Mutua said the equipment is a major boost to his life since he has for years remained unproductive because of lacking crucial working tools.
NFDK is an endowment fund established under the Trustees Act Cap 164 of the laws of Kenya mainly to enhance the social and economic empowerment of persons with disability in the country.
-Edited by SKanyara
