Safaricom and M-PESA Foundations Injects Ksh27 mn in Jawabu Rehabilitation Centre, Eldoret

More than 130 children living with disabilities at Eldoret’s Jawabu Rehabilitation Centre in Uasin Gishu have benefitted from facilities constructed by Safaricom and M-PESA Foundations to support their education and well-being.

The intervention by the two foundations will enable the facility to increase its capacity to accommodate children living with disabilities and improve care delivery.

The M-PESA Foundation constructed and equipped a physiotherapy room and a dining hall, while Safaricom Foundation built and furnished a 144-bed capacity dormitory.

The facility takes care of children with cerebral palsy, down syndrome, hydrocephalus and other physical disabilities. The physiotherapy equipment is also expected to improve the health and well-being of the children.

“Our support for this institution is guided by the belief that all children deserve access to education and quality health services. Children living with disabilities have challenges accessing these two key components and through our Foundations, we have several programmes to address this,” said Peter Ndegwa, CEO. Safaricom.

“We are happy that these children will use these facilities to improve their health and education outcomes.”

Some of the physiotherapy equipment donated include spine therapy balls, static bicycles, adjustable parallel bars, hospital bed screens, furniture and stationery for staff, among other assorted equipment.

Safaricom Foundation has invested close to Ksh 89 million in various health, education, water and economic empowerment projects across Uasin Gishu county, benefitting more than 150,000 people.

In 2021, UNICEF estimated that about 240 million children live with disabilities globally, and 47% are likely to miss primary school.

In Africa, at least 1 in 3 children have a disability, with less than 10% of children living with disabilities likely to enrol in primary school.