Learning to Love: Esther’s Journey to Inclusion Through Kupenda’s Running Club

Kupenda’s Inclusive Running Youth Clubs are creating spaces where children with and without disabilities can run, learn, and grow together. Through these clubs, participants build friendships, strengthen their confidence, and receive spiritual support that affirms the value of every child. The program is a collaboration with the Micah 6:8 Foundation and We Run We Rise, and children are recruited through local schools and churches where teachers and pastors have been trained by Kupenda as disability advocates.

One of the young people most impacted by these clubs is Esther Mapenzi Maitha, a 10-year-old student at Jilore Mainstream School. Esther’s story shows how powerful these lessons can be in changing hearts and building a more inclusive community.

“My name is Esther Mapenzi Maitha. I’m 10 yrs old and learning at Jilore Mainstream School. I’ve been attending this running club since they began and the lessons learnt are very impactful to me. We were taught that we are all made in the image of God. This lesson changed my understating [of] people with disabilities because before I thought they were less human and that they do not deserve to be loved. I did not care for them, did not interact with them even if we are in the same compound.

After [I learned] that we are all made in the image of God and discovered that children with disabilities also deserve love. At first, I did not want to sit close or interact with them but now I have learnt to be compassionate to them and now can even share my things with them. For example, when I buy some snacks when we are attending the learning club sessions, I usually share with them.

Apart from sharing snacks with them, I have also learnt to passionately support them when they need the support. For example, during the running club sessions, I support and encourage them to do the exercises.

These lessons are so good and teaching us great things. I do attend church at Jilore ACK, [where] we are taught of love, but I had not learnt that even those with disabilities are to be loved, so these lessons are so important and teach us a lot of things. The greatest lesson I have learnt is Love.”