Rising Above: How Rose Became a Netball Star

by Kupenda

Due to stigma, discrimination, and a lack of resources, many children with disabilities in low-income countries lack opportunities to demonstrate their full potential. For one girl named Rose, however, Kupenda’s Child Scholarship Program provided the support she needed to not only succeed in school but also to become a celebrated netball star.

Overcoming Early Obstacles

The beginning of Rose’s journey was not an easy one. She began school at age eight–later than most children. Despite stigma in her community that disabilities are the result of a curse or punishment and ongoing safety issues due to terrorist attacks in the region, her grandfather and one of Kupenda’s child scholarship supporters helped her to enroll in school, where she quickly learned Kenyan Sign Language and excelled academically.

She also began playing netball for her school. While the sport is often compared to basketball, it differs in several key ways: it has no backboards; prohibits dribbling, bouncing, and running with the ball; and enforces stricter rules around physical contact. Today, Rose has used her pride and determination to lead her team to regional competitions.

Rising Through Resilience

Now, Rose’s journey has become a successful one. Even when COVID-19 Ā disrupted her sixth-grade year, Rose returned to school more determined than ever. Her talent and leadership earned her the role of games prefect at her school. She has excelled not only in the classroom, but also in sports like volleyball and track and field. She continues to display hard work and passion, even after significant losses–such as the death of her father just two years ago. In addition, she is an active member of the Christian Union Club for the hard of hearing, where she finds joy and connection through worship.

A Kupenda scholarship helped transform how Rose’s community perceived her. While they once held low expectations for her due to a limited understanding of her disability, today they view her as a local star athlete. Rose’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, opportunity, and community support. Would you consider supporting other children with disabilities like Rose? Your partnership could help demonstrate what’s possible when barriers are broken and talents are nurtured!

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