Kenya Special Schools

St Lucy's School

In 2024 Hands Around the World partnered with St Lucy’s Primary and Secondary Special Schools. These schools provide an education to 309 blind and visually impaired learners (155 boys and 154 girls). For over 60 years, the schools have been dedicated to supporting visually impaired students as they grow into confident, capable individuals, making meaningful contributions to their communities. This year, Hands Around the World supported the schools with the provision of 60 refurbished laptops, 60 headsets and 60 laptop bags. The provision of laptops has enabled the visually impaired students to access information on an equal footing with sighted counterparts and effectively follow the Kenyan Competency Based Curriculum. Students have developed critical ICT skills, essential for academic success, enhancing their independence, creating a greater sense of autonomy and fostering inclusive learning. St Lucy’s Schools require further support with adaptive technology to effectively complete the school curriculum, as well as new sanitation facilities and pathways for safe access around the school. 

Athi Special School

Hands Around the World has a long-standing relationship with Athi Special School. When we first got involved, the special unit was just a simple shed attached to the local primary school. Today, thanks to years of collaboration and community effort, it is a thriving independent school offering hope, dignity, and opportunity to children with disabilities.

Athi Special School currently provides an education for 135 students with disabilities and special needs (73 boys and 62 girls). Hands Around the World has supported Athi Special School since 2007, and projects have included the construction of classrooms and latrines as well as volunteer visits with special skills in special needs and physiotherapy. In 2025, we will be supporting the school with access to clean, safe water by establishing a functioning water system that provides water throughout the school. The provision of a reliable water supply will improve the health, sanitation and dignity of these children. Athi Special School requires new latrines and improved pathways around the school for safe access.

Irindiro Special School

Irindiro Special School provides residential education and essential support to children with disabilities and special needs. The school provides a life-enhancing service to 140 children, delivering a special academic curriculum tailored towards children with disabilities.

Hands Around the World has supported Irindiro Special School with the provision of specially designed furniture to support the learning needs of these children. The project delivered 40 chairs, two chalk boards and eight specially designed horseshoe tables to enable the children to learn effectively. The provision of the new furniture has improved the facilities in the classroom, providing an enhanced learning environment. Hands Around the World also supported Irindiro Special School with a water connectivity project. The project provided much-needed water pipes, to ensure a constant supply of safe clean water is available to all students and teachers – improving the water, hygiene and sanitation conditions in the school. Irindiro Special School requires an ablution block with latrines and a laundry room to regularly wash uniforms and bedsheets.