KAIH

INFORMATION ON KAIH

1. IntroductionWhat is KAIH

Kenya Association of the Intellectually Handicapped, KAIH, is a member based organization of persons with intellectual disabilities and their families interested in advancing the Economic, Social and Political rights of persons with intellectual disabilities and their families. It is registered as a Non Governmental Organization under the NGO Coordination Act of 1990.

Our vision is to be a society where the human rights of person with intellectual disabilities and their families are fully recognized.

Our mission is to promote human rights of PWIDs and their families within the society through education,advocacy, empowerment and information exchange.

Our overall goal is to enhance the full participation of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities and their families in th Social, Economic and Political rights sectors.

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1.1 OBJECTIVESoverall objective

KAIH’s overall goal is the full inclusion of Persons with

Intellectual Disabilities and their families

1.2 program policies KAIH’s criteria for all programs shall be education based,

advocacy-focused, promote inclusiveness within the community, be sustainable and reinforce KAIH’s long term strategy and mandate.

KAIH programs are client centered and well tailored to address issues that directly affect PWIDs and their families.

2.0. ON GOING PROGRAMS

Promotion of education for PWIDS. Promotion of health and especially as it relates to

HIV and AIDS and Reproductive health. Vocational rehabilitation and sustainable

livelihoods. Social rehabilitation. Advocacy. Self advocacy. Resource Mobilization. Information Technology and Communication. Institutional strengthening. Networks and linkages.

2.1 Programs 2.1.1. Health as relates to HIV AND

AIDS/Reproductive Health Objective: To impact knowledge on Health/Reproductive health

and HIV and AIDS to PWIDs and their families. Scope: Kiambu, Nyeri, Migori, Siaya, Mombasa, Kikuyu and

Nairobi Reach: 100 PWIDs and 2000 parents/caregivers Activities: Trainings/workshops for Peer Educators, teachers,

Parents/caregivers and siblings. Community/ Sensitization meetings done to religious and local leaders, forming linkages with health facilities and VCT Centers PSS clubs for peer educators, monthly parents meetings and TOTs in support group meetings

Management: HIV and AIDS Project Coordinator was in charge of the program with support from field officers and Regional Coordinators.

M+E: Every after three months evaluation to access the impact and revise activities.

2.1.2. SELF ADVOCACY

Objective: To mobilize and empower PWIDs to be self advocates to make their own decisions and Promote their self esteem.

Scope: Kiambu, Nyeri, Siaya, Nairobi and Migori Reach: 500 PWIDs Activities: 1) Leisure and recreation activities held every three

months 2) Psychosocial club meetings held once a month to

address their emerging issues.Management: The representative of the self advocates committees

with the support of field officers are in charge of the program M+E: On a monthly basis

2.1.3 VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS

Objective: To offer mentorship which is to equip PWIDs with employable skills so that they can be self reliant.

Scope: Kiambu, Nyeri, Nairobi,Siaya, Kikuyu,Mombasa and Migori Reach: 100 Activities: Dairy goat project, Rabbit Rearing, Tailoring and table

cloth making, beadwork, performing arts baking, salon and beauty therapy.

Management: Vocational training committees and Regional board M+E: Every after three months

Sustainable livelihoods for families

Objective: To advance the economic lives of the parents/families as a way of eradiating poverty.

Scope; Nairobi, Kiambu, Nyeri, Migori and Siaya Proposal writing sessions for parents and siblings done in th

Regions supporting IGA initiatives started in the parents support groups Linking parents support groups to local devolved funds such as

CACC, CDF, LATIF, NDF, Youth fund, women fund and disability from NCWPD .

KAIH Family which is in Kiambu to be rolled to other regions as a micro finance/table banking concept.

Some of the activities engaged at support group levels includes; food banking, detergent making, nursery tree planting, Tissue banana farming, dairy goat rearing, rabbit rearing, poultry, basketry and weaving etc

2.1.4 SOCIAL REHABILITATION

The purpose of this program is to offer guidance (information), psychosocial support to our constituents and also make referrals through 3 different strategies this includes support group meetings, parents meetings and home and institutional visits . Since then we have mobilized parents into 60 registered groups

Scope: Nairobi, Nyeri, Kiambu, Siaya,Kikuyu,Mombasa and Migori

Reach: 2000 The support group meetings at their grassroots levels. The function of the support group is to offer a forum and

opportunity for self actualization and manage their own affairs.

Advocacy

Activities: weekly or fortnightly meetings and Income Generating activities which is well identified by the group. According to their level of understanding.

Management: support group officials M+E: Once a month

2.4.2 parents Meetings

Objective: To create a forum where parents/siblings can meet and share experiences and information about parenting and other issues affecting them. This improves their sense of efficiency and acts as a preparation for greater roles.

Scope: Nairobi, Kiambu, Nyeri, Migori and Siaya Reach: over 2000 parents Activity: parents meeting Management: Regional Coordinator M+E: every 3 months

2.4.3 Home and Institution visits

Objective: To Create awareness on Intellectual Disabilities, offer referrals and link parents up to services.

Scope: Nairobi, Migori, Nyeri, Kiambu and Siaya Reach: over 2000 families Activity: home and institution visits, offering of various therapies

including physio and occupational therapies Educating families on the various therapies using local improvised

materials Management: Parents Advisory Committee, Regional Coordinators

and Field officers M+E: Every month.

2.5.Vital Voices

Objective: To enhance citizen participation of PWDs and their families in the political process

Scope: In all of the KAIH regions Reach: over 3000 Persons with various disabilities and their families

and local communitiesActivities: Education on the UNCRPD, the new constitution and

devolved structures, leadership and governance issues and life skills, developing of IEC materials friendly to PWIDs and their families, acquisition of Identity cards and voters cards for the self advocates

Management: Programs Officer and regional CoordinatorsM+E: On quarterly basis

2.6. Networks and Linkages Objective: To work in partnerships and avoid replications of

activities and forge more allies on a unified advocacy strategy Scope: Locally, regional and International. Some of our partners include 1. DPOs such as UDPK, NFSS,BLINK,ANDY,DEK,WCC,USP, HERAF2. FUB,FDUV,NFU , Inclusion International and Inclusion

Africa,EACRADD

3. VSO JITOLEE4. Handicap International5. OSIEA6. EU7. Key line Government Ministries e.g. Education (EARCS), Health

(NACC) CACC ,Social services (DSDO, CDA, NCPWD) MOJNC, MOYAS.

8. Kenya Human Rights Commission9. Independent Elections Board Commission10. Truth Justice and Reconciliation Committee

Challenges and achievements

Challenges1. High poverty levels amongst our members2. High illiteracy levels. 3. Overwhelming requests from the regions that we are not yet in4. Negative attitudes by some professionals (doctors, teachers etc)5. Unhealthy competition 6. Policy issues; the government still look at intellectual disability

from a medical approach rather than human rights approachAchievements7. Recognition by the Government and other DPOs. 8. Parents driven 9. Positive responses by parents and PWIDs10. Increase in membership and opening of new branches11. Strong and visionary leadership12. Starting of a self advocates movement

Summary

A person with intellectual disability has life-long developmental needs. He / she requires assistance and support to lead a normal life in the family and community in all aspects of their lives. For them to be accepted fully it is a struggle and we have to collectively work together.

Photo Gallery

Self advocacySelf advocacy

Parents support groups

Parents support groups cont…..

HIV and Aids

HIV and Aids

HIV and Aids

HIV and Aids cont…..

Home visits

IGA