Wezesha Elimu: Safaricom Foundation's Initiative Transforming Lives Of Children With Disabilities

• More than a million children and mothers have benefited from the M-Pesa Foundation's investments in education
• A survey revealed that 11.4% of children and youth aged 3 to 21 live with disabilities, and many lack access to education
• The M-PESA Foundation launched Wezesha Elimu Phase 4 in Kiambu county with a KSh 74 million investment to focus on enrollment, retention, and transition of learners with disabilities

Elijah Ntongai, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, leverages more than three years of expertise in financial, business, and technology research, providing profound insights into both Kenyan and global economic trends.

In an inspiring journey of philanthropy and transformative change, the M-Pesa Foundation celebrates eight years of dedicated service to communities across Kenya, through initiatives in education, health, environmental conservation, integrated livelihoods, and disaster response.

The foundation has pursued a vision of moving beyond traditional Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects to undertake larger-scale initiatives that bring about lasting and profound change in society and one of the projects has significantly transformed the lives of children and youths living with disabilities in Kiambu County.

Empowering next generation through education

One of the flagship projects of the M-PESA Foundation is the M-PESA Foundation Academy, providing quality education to children from all 47 counties with 1,124,729 students having benefited from the foundation's investments in education, empowering the next generation with the tools they need for a brighter future.

A survey by the National Survey on Children with Disabilities and Special Needs in Education revealed that 11.4% of children and youth aged 3 to 21 live with disabilities and many of them lack access to education.

How M-Pesa Foundation helps children with disabilities

In a significant expansion of its transformative initiatives, the M-Pesa Foundation in collaboration with CBM Kenya and Cure International Hospital, launched Wezesha Elimu Phase 4 in Kiambu County, an initiative to cater to the pressing issue of children and youth with disabilities lacking access to education, denial of opportunities for gainful employment and community leadership.

With an investment of KSh 74 million in the Wezesha Elimu Phase 4 initiative, M-Pesa Foundation focuses on improving enrollment, retention, and transition of learners with disabilities.

More than 100 children living with disabilities at Eldoret’s Jawabu Rehabilitation Centre in Uasin Gishu benefitted from facilities constructed by the Safaricom Foundation and the M-Pesa Foundation in support of their education and well-being.

"This is about enabling every kid to live a dignified life regardless of their ability, in particular those living with special needs," Peter Ndegwa, Safaricom PLC CEO said during the launch of the facilities at Jawabu Rehabilitation Centre.

"The children with disabilities are getting access to education opportunities without discrimination. They are being empowered like all other children and getting the skills to expose them to learning and job opportunities. They are getting support from their schools which have infrastructure to cater for their needs," stated M-Pesa Foundation.

Improved healthcare for mothers, children

In healthcare, the interventions by M-Pesa Foundation have touched 1,356,337 lives, resulting in improved outcomes for mothers and newborns, bringing about positive changes in maternal and child health, particularly in Samburu.

Other initiatives by M-Pesa Foundation

The foundation's investments in integrated livelihoods, including clean water and solar power projects, have benefited 173,699 residents.

Additionally, disaster response efforts have impacted 293,000 lives, providing essentials such as food security, safe water, healthcare, and economic empowerment.

The foundation is also committed to environmental conservation, having improved the lives of 352,141 individuals through initiatives such as the rehabilitation of the Nyalani Dam in Kwale and the conservation of the forest in Mau Eburu.

Reuben Kimani now supports over 130 students

In a related story, Reuben Kimani, CEO of Username Investment, has shown commitment to education sponsorship, targeting needy and bright students for secondary education scholarships.

In 2001, he almost dropped out of school due to financial challenges, and now he is sponsoring over 130 students to get their secondary school education despite coming from needy families.

“I was among a few who were sent away back home again. This was not the first time to be sent home though. From Form One, I was always sure I would be chased away for school fees balance.

I was afraid one day I may not go back to school when there was nothing to pay the fees,” Kimani told TUKO.co.ke, as he narrated the inspiration behind his company's life-changing scholarship programme.