Author: Jessica Charles Abrams

Kupenda Contributes to UNICEF New Disability Toolkit

by Jessica Charles Abrams

Kupenda’s technical team was recently invited to provide feedback on UNICEF’s new toolkit for Addressing Stigma and Discrimination toward Children and Youth with Disabilities through Social and Behavior Change (SBC). Our CEO, Kenyan director, and development director worked closely with global disability and SBC experts to review three modules of the toolkit and provide feedback,…



Emily Morrison high-fiving a man in a wheelchair

“Disability Speaks to Me”: A Conversation with Emily Morrison

by Jessica Charles Abrams

  • Posted on October 25, 2023

Emily Morrison is not only a gifted writer, compassionate social worker, and avid disability rights activist, but she is also the daughter of the scientist who created Gatorade nearly 60 years ago – this has enabled her to support Kupenda for the past 14 years as a generous philanthropist and foundation board member. We recently…



Mother and Baby

Becoming Mothers

by Jessica Charles Abrams

  • Posted on May 12, 2023

During my three days of labor, I often thought of Kenyan mothers and how much harder the birth experience is for so many of them. When it was over, I’d been attended to by two doctors, five midwives, and ten nurses. I’d received an epidural for the pain and Pitocin to strengthen my contractions. My…



A teenage boy in a brown shirt standing outside and smiling.

Feedback from the Children You Support

by Jessica Charles Abrams

  • Posted on May 9, 2022

Dear friends, June marks the end of our fiscal year, and we are so grateful for the ways you helped us get through these trying times. We thought you would like to hear from some of the children you are supporting themselves. “I used to cry when taken to school. I could [not] write and…



A selfie taken of about 15 individuals

“The Deepest Darkest Magic We Have”: A Conversation On Disability, Employment and Expectations

by Jessica Charles Abrams

  • Posted on May 4, 2022

Last month I had the pleasure of interviewing disability justice advocate and Kupenda Board member, Jeff Gentry. For the past 15 years, Jeff has committed his life and career to increasing workforce engagement for people with disabilities. As part of this work, Jeff and his colleagues have equipped over 1,000 youth and adults with disabilities…



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