Disability Advocacy

A Mother’s Mission to Protect and Advocate for Her Son: Baraka’s Story

by Kathleen Hehn

  • Posted on September 11, 2025

Advocacy in the Face of Adversity * Baraka faced adversity from a young age. Born with cerebral palsy (CP), Baraka encountered challenges with his speech and mobility, but the most limiting barrier was the discrimination he endured from those in his community and even his own family. Baraka’s father and extended family believe disabilities like…



Backpacks, Books, and Belonging: Starting the Year with Inclusion in Mind

by Lauren Blair

  • Posted on September 11, 2025

As schools reopen their doors this fall, students are filled with the hope and anticipation of a new year. But for many children with disabilities, the school year can also bring isolation, misunderstanding, and bullying. In many communities, this is due to cultural beliefs that disabilities are caused by a curse. Kupenda for the Children…



Seeds of Change: Empowering Families Through Livelihoods

by Rebecca Heidorn

  • Posted on August 17, 2025

Kupenda’s ongoing efforts to empower caregivers and youth with disabilities through inclusive, sustainable livelihoods recently reached a significant milestone. On April 14, 2025, Kupenda hosted a transformative ceremony at its Advocacy Center in Kilifi County, Kenya, to offer small business loan disbursements for 50 recipients—including 29 members of local self-help groups, 7 independent caregivers, and…



Turning Tragedy into Testimony: A Memorial for Kenya’s Lost Children

by Jessica Charles Abrams

  • Posted on August 4, 2025

In Kilifi, Kenya, there is a patch of land where healing is beginning to take root—a site once marked by silence and sorrow is now becoming a place of remembrance, transformation, and hope. For generations, children born with disabilities in this region were viewed not as blessings but as burdens—evidence of curses, witchcraft, or divine…



Finding Hope: How Counseling and New Mental Health Tools Saved a Mother’s Life

by Jessica Charles Abrams

  • Posted on August 4, 2025

When *Halima was referred to Kupenda in early 2025, she was facing overwhelming challenges. Her son, *Kiptoo, who lives with microcephaly, was struggling to stay in school because she couldn’t afford the fees. At the same time, her husband had begun showing signs of erratic behavior, possibly linked to schizophrenia, and was no longer able…



Follow Us on Social Media!

Blog Archives

2006-2017