Big hearts touching small homes: a story of JOOUST Disability Advocacy club
The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology Disability Advocacy Club organized an outreach programme on the 14th of October,2023 to Maranda Special School for the Intellectually Disabled and Nyamonye Small Home for the Physically Challenged which is hosted inside Nyamonye Primary School.
The club made merry with learners engaging in sporting activities and later enjoying drinks with the grateful lot. The members of the club also participated in an array of cleaning activities in the school compound from the classrooms, dormitories, kitchen to washing clothes and beddings for learners as well as cleaning the learners. To crown it all, the head teacher and sister of Nyamonye Small Home received bountiful donations from the club members which included soap, toilet towels, Tissue Papers and clothes.
The Disability Advocacy Club is a registered club at JOOUST with the office of Dean of Students. The club’s mission is to facilitate better understanding and positive attitude towards the society based on the nature and acceptance of disability. The club has taken the initiative to visit special schools to encourage the differently abled learners alongside charity donations and mentorship programs. The club members also participate in planning and organizing fun and sports days for special schools with the aim of developing and promoting the talents of the learners with disabilities.
The objectives of the club include to enable: the society at large to accept the individuals with disabilities and develop positive attitude towards PWDs, the differently abled children develop their talents through creation of sports and fun days, the community eliminate the long time stereotype based on the nature of disability and engage in door to door visitations and equip the club members with the knowledge and experience in handling and understanding the individuals with hearing impairment through training and also promote awareness about disability among others.
The club appreciates the immense support accorded to them by the University Management in facilitating transportation to and from the schools. In a special way, the Club also expresses gratitude to the patron Prof. Charles Omoke and his assistants Mr.Gregory Jumah and Dr.Ruth Otienoh for donating clothes and fruits to the children and lastly Dr. Brian Oduor for supporting the cause financially.
