Laughter, song, and cheers filled the air as hundreds of learners with intellectual and physical disabilities gathered for the annual Sunshine Rally in Kisumu, organised by Rotary clubs across the Western region.
Bringing together children from special schools, the event was not only a celebration of inclusion but also a powerful reminder of the daily challenges the children and their caregivers face.
“This is a great interlude for our learners,” said Alice Odhiambo, deputy head of Lutheran Special School for children with intellectual disabilities.
“Most of them are hypo in nature, and such activities energise them. They’ve been looking forward to this day filled with fun, food, and entertainment.”
Odhiambo said learning for children with intellectual disabilities is largely activity-based.
Events like the Sunshine Rally provide opportunities for imitation and social interaction, both of which are critical to their development.
However, she pointed out the challenges of accessing appropriate learning materials, especially for children with autism.
“Most of the materials we need are expensive. Some local alternatives are unsafe. For instance, toys made with harmful dyes can be dangerous to our learners,” she said.
“We also struggle with mobility devices, caregivers, and the space needed to meet all their learning and care needs.”
Susan Liyai, head teacher at Joyland Special School and a Rotarian, echoed these sentiments.
“Most of our learners are wheelchair-bound. The pavements get flooded when it rains, making it difficult for them to move around. We need more assistive devices and better infrastructure."
Despite the challenges, Liayi said events like the Sunshine Rally give children a sense of belonging. “They feel loved and included. When they interact with others, they’re happy, and we’re grateful to the Rotary clubs for making this possible.”
Rotarian Rose Waringa, the regional coordinator for Western Kenya, emphasised that the rally is more than just a fun day.
“We are here to show that disability is not inability. This initiative started in 2004 and is fully funded by Rotarians. We rotate locations yearly: this year Kisumu, last year in Bungoma. Today we’re hosting children with mental and physical disabilities. Next year, we will include the deaf and blind.”
Waringa urged parents not to abandon children with disabilities, noting that Rotary clubs support several schools across the region. “These children are our future. They deserve care, opportunity, and love just like any other child.”
Johnstone Wolayo, a representative of the Salvation Army which sponsors one of the schools, made an emotional appeal to society.
“When a child scores a C+ in a national exam, parents show up. But here, many children are abandoned. They, too, have the potential; they, too, are our children.
