Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects 2011/2012: Handing Over Ceremony of the Project for the Expansion of St Joseph the Worker Home for the Mentally Challenged/Epileptic

Handing Over Ceremony of the Project for the Expansion of St Joseph the Worker Home for the Mentally Challenged/Epileptic 

Date

5th June 2012

Location

Malava, Kakamega North

Project title

The Project for the Expansion of St Joseph the Worker Home for the Mentally Challenged/Epileptic

Amount

$103,625 (approx. Kshs 8.5M)

In Attendance

• Mr. Yoichiro Yamada, Deputy Ambassador of Japan to Kenya
• Ms Yuko Abe, Japan Overseas Co-operation Volunteer in Western Province
• Mr G. Ombongi, District Commissioner, Kakamega North District
• Fr. A. Ndalwala, Priest In-charge of Malava Parish
• Sr Josaphat Lihabi, Sister-in-Charge of St Jospeh the Worker Home for Mentally Challenged
• Parents, Church staff and Community members

About 200 participants in total

Main activity

The Deputy Ambassador of Japan to Kenya Mr Yoichiro Yamada officiated the handing over of new facilities constructed as part of the Project for the Expansion of St Joseph the Worker Home for the Mentally Challenged and Epileptic at a colorful ceremony held at the project site.

In March 2011, The Sisters of Mary for Community Health and Development had been granted $103,625 under the GGP scheme for the construction and equipping of classrooms, an administration block, a modern rehabilitation gymnasium and a sanitation block at the institution. The expanded institution can now accommodate 100 physically and mentally challenged children up from its current capacity of 54 that enrolled. At the institution, the enrolled children are taught daily living skills such as feeding, dressing, bathing etc. In addition to these basic skills, a child in the home will learn some creative activities such as weaving, basketry and knitting to enhance their usefulness in the society.

The ceremony began with entertainment performances by the children at the home followed by the cutting of the ribbon by the Deputy Ambassador to symbolize the official opening of the facilities. Mr Yamada then proceeded to tour the buildings constructed using the GGP fund and noted with pleasure that the buildings were already being used for their intended purpose.

Once the visit was complete, trees were planted by the dignitaries to commemorate the ceremony after which they sat down to listen to the speeches given by various speakers who all expressed gratitude to Japan for the assistance which will contribute in improving the plight of mentally challenged in the community.

Mr. Yamada congratulated the Sisters of Mary and the Project Management Committee for the timely completion of the project. He mentioned that the Japanese assistance was given to enforce the national policy as stated in the Constitution of Kenya; that persons with disabilities need to be treated in dignity and respect. He expressed hope that the project would show the community that persons with disabilities need to be empowered and not treated with sympathy.