All the developing countries in Sub-Saharan Africa has a much higher percentage of the disabled in their populations. Many studies by major international organisations all point to percentages as high as 14-15%. Out of this percentage 8-9% are the mentally disabled. In Kenya that translates into over 2.5 million people with mental disabilities. The government does not have the will and has limited resources to cater for this population that is usually made up of the poorest section of the population. There are a handful of institutions that cater for a very small fraction of one percent of the mentally disabled. These institutions require support. New institutions are needed to provide education, vocational training and home care. We at Kenya Society for the Mentally Handicapped feel that a partnership with you in the following areas will really go a long way in addressing this dearth of services.
- Provide education support services to needy children with intellectual disabilities in form of uniform, feeding programme, learning and teaching materials, special sanitations, and welfare personnel support services etc.
- Develop information, education and communication packages Trend to neglect wife & child – community should be made aware.
- Build the capacity of local branches for better interaction and provision of services.
- Provide homecare for the severe and profound cases of mental disabilities where the parents are unable to cope.
- Set up vocational training for the mild and moderate cases of mental disabilities so as to make them independent and useful members of community.