Caroline Barby, HATW volunteer physiotherapist went to Kenya in 2016 to help with training and support at Athi School for children with disabilities. During her time in Kenya, she was introduced to Ann, an abandoned child with a roof over her head, but no family and no means to care for herself. Caroline reported:
“Ann is 13 years old, and she was abandoned due to her disability. For years she has lived alone in the house in front of which she stands. Her key hangs around her neck – her only pretence of security. Every night she is vulnerable to awful possibilities, and each day she asks around her village for food but often has to go without.
I met Ann yesterday at her home in Tiira, Meru County and noted that she has learning difficulties and needs to be in a school for children with special needs. Currently she does not go to school at all.”
Caroline’s response to this shocking situation was instrumental in getting Ann the help she needed: She went on to secure a place for Ann at Athi school for children with disabilities, where she received not only the education that she needed and deserved, but also a safe place to sleep at night and 3 meals a day. Her uniform, hygiene essentials, accommodation, food, books and excursions were all covered by the generous donations of HATW supporters. We were also able to arrange foster care for Ann during the holidays, so that she continued to be safe.
