Witnessing Disability Stigma Firsthand: Perspectives From Our Associate Executive Director

Last December I had the privilege of visiting with staff on the ground in Kenya—something I’d been excited about since I first started with Kupenda a few months ago. I couldn’t wait to see the team, the beneficiaries, and the work firsthand. From the 10 years I spent living in Zambia, I was very familiar with the cultural context in the types of communities Kupenda serves. I know how difficult life can be for children with disabilities and their families, who are regularly told that disability is a curse or a punishment. I’ve seen parents cast out from their communities or told they were not welcome at places like their school or their church. I also know how easily these families are dismissed by medical professionals. There are so many cultural dynamics that factor into the discrimination of children with disabilities and their families, and it made me eager to be a part of our work to transform harmful beliefs.

Stigma Reduction Among Leaders

Pastor Mweni preaching at his church

One of the highlights of my trip was visiting a church led by a pastor who openly confessed that he was “part of the problem.” He also propagated harmful beliefs about disability–until he had a son born with autism. Being confronted with having a child with a disability, he participated in one of Kupenda’s disability advocacy workshops, where he learned about the medical causes of disability, what appropriate intervention looks like, and how to facilitate loving inclusion. Yet this pastor is not alone. Many churches and pastors are some of the biggest perpetrators of reinforcing harmful beliefs. However, that is precisely because the church also holds incredible influence, including the ability to positively change people’s minds and reduce stigma.

It is this transformation Kupenda is striving to foster. During the trip, Kupenda’s Kenyan staff worked with 30 different leaders to use our mobile app. This app prompts leaders with a series of questions and helps them to respond with appropriate counseling, care, and referrals. It was amazing to see these leaders want to support and care for children with disabilities despite the challenges they face!

Stigma Reduction Among Families

Joel in his home

All this work further crystallized when we saw the work of these leaders in action during a home visit to a child with a disability. The boy’s family was connected to Kupenda after his mother learned about one of Kupenda’s disability advocacy workshops and reached out to her pastor. Later, as we sat discussing her son, Joel, you could sense her relief. Now she has hope that there is someone out there who can help her provide the best care and support for her son. Continuing to provide this type of knowledge and hope and is what motivates our work to reach out to more families and communities.

Going forward, I am excited to continue supporting this mission, because I know how much need there is. I am also grateful for the opportunity to work with an organization that equips and empowers people with this knowledge rather than lecturing to them. This partnership approach is evident in how we engage children with disabilities, their families, and the leaders that influence their communities. I am looking forward to returning to Kenya to continue supporting advocacy, education, medical care, and economic empowerment, which make a tremendous impact on the lives of children with disabilities and their families.  Will you join me in making an impact?

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