Pastor Dorcas Rigathi hands children’s home early Christmas gifts

The spouse of the Deputy President Pastor Dorcas Rigathi on Tuesday made a Christmas food donation to Mother Teresa Children’s Home in Lang'ata, Nairobi.

Christmas came early for the girls who have cerebral palsy and other disabilities being cared for at the home.

The event was also used to commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disability which is marked on December 3.

All the girls at the facility were abandoned by their parents either along the roads, at hospitals, police stations, bushes, and other locations, but found refuge at the home run by Missionaries of Charity.

Pastor Dorcas urged parents, guardians and caregivers not to hide children with disabilities, but to bring them out into the world to discover and celebrate their skills, abilities and gifts.

“Let us not hide our beauty and the variety God gave us. But let us expose those with disabilities so they may also celebrate with us. Sometimes they may look different, and celebrate differently as they are doing here but they are human beings, and within them they have a joyful soul,” she said.

She decried the practice of hiding those with disabilities.

“Let them enjoy the environment God created for them,” she said.

She revisited the Special Olympics held in Berlin where Team Kenya raised the profile of Kenya and won 15 gold medals.

The Office of the Spouse of the Deputy President (OSDP) has three pillars; boy child, widows and orphans, and people with disabilities.

The pillar of PWDs pushed for inclusion and empowerment of those who are differently abled to give them a dignified future.

“The PWDs are part of our society, and they are Kenyans like the rest and Africans like any other,” she said.

She wished the girls, missionaries and workers at the home a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

Sister-in-Charge, Mary Cletty Devasia appreciated Pastor Dorcas for the continued support of the home, and for sacrificing her time.

“On behalf of the missionaries of charity, we thank you for your sacrifice putting aside your duties, and coming to spend some time with us. We are grateful for the direct and indirect support to the home, and the different partners you have connected us with,” said Sister Cletty.

Sustainable Development Goals 10 and 11 address the needs of those with disabilities, seeking to reduce inequality, and encourage the inclusion of those with disabilities.