Author: Jessica Charles Abrams

Headshot of a woman, Michele Reber, wearing a blue shirt

“It Gives Me a Sense of Joy”: An Interview with Kupenda’s Friend, Michele Reber

by Jessica Charles Abrams

  • Posted on March 2, 2021

In this interview, our long-time support and friend, Michele Reber, shares stories of Kupenda’s early years and her perspective on our evolving approaches to disability inclusion. In her responses, Michele also describes how her relationship with Kupenda and its founder has kept her invested in our work for the past 19 years. We cannot thank…



Man standing to share his story at Kupenda’s Abuse Prevention Workshop, surrounded by other audience members.

“I Had to Punish Her”: New Perspectives on Domestic Violence

by Jessica Charles Abrams

  • Posted on October 28, 2020

Talk of ā€œdomestic violenceā€ often elicits images of a raging parent or partner. Someone angry, cruel, and controlling. But what if, for some, domestic violence is an obligation. Even an expectation. ā€œThen I went to drink. I had to become very drunk so I could get the courage to beat my wife. I had to…



How Your Donations Have Changed 4 Lives

by Jessica Charles Abrams

  • Posted on August 30, 2018

Dear Friends, This year I sat with 4 children from our programs and listened to stories of how their lives had been transformed because of your donations. Each child’s story illustrated how a $30 gift is so much more than a month of tuition – it’s also access to food, a bed, medical care, and…



A group of 8 Kenyan school boys who are in a classroom.

Thanks to You, Our Valentines

by Jessica Charles Abrams

  • Posted on February 14, 2018

I was at a party recently where the host complained that the neighborhood parents were buying their children ā€œgame boys from Cupid for Valentines Day.ā€ My face must have shown an appropriate level of surprise because then she added ā€œI know! My children only get Legos from Cupid!ā€ Somehow I missed the boat on the…



An adult woman surrouded by 10 Kenyan teens.

Tiny Dancer in the Sand

by Jessica Charles Abrams

  • Posted on March 7, 2017

ā€œCindy is a Kenyan now!ā€ Leonard echoed the sentiment of most people in the Disability Awareness Day crowd and laughed with the women dancing and shaking around her. It was our second to last day in the field and the culmination of 3 long weeks of work. The government officials, women’s groups, parents, children, and…



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