Light for the World Kenya

Today we commemorated the International Day of Persons with Disabilities in Makueni, Machakos, Nairobi, Homa Bay, Laikipia, and Meru by celebrating the leadership of people with disabilities. Across these counties, the conversation centered on inclusion, the gains made in advancing socioeconomic rights, and the critical role of the leadership of people with disabilities in driving sustainable development. In partnership with organizations of persons with disabilities, national and county governments, civil society organizations and private sector allies, we spotlighted the untapped economic potential of inclusion while addressing the barriers that persist in the labor market and beyond. Together with people with disabilities and their representative organizations, Light for the World Kenya continue to champion and influence governments, businesses, and other decision-makers for policy shifts and practices that empower persons with disabilities, foster equity, and create opportunities for all. Here is to a future where leadership is inclusive, and growth benefits everyone. #IDPD2024 #AspireGrowInfluence #DisabilityDay #WeCanWork #InclusiveFutures #RISE #PowerUp Sightsavers United Disabled Persons of Kenya UDPK Mastercard Foundation Standard Chartered Light for the World Light for the World Uganda

In the words of Shikoh Gitau, #DoHardThings and #DoThemScared! There's a lot I can unpack in these statements, as relating to the Mastercard Foundation's #IDPD2024 event, but I'll spare that for an article later (I promise, I promise😉). Tomorrow, 3rd December 2024, at 11:00am EAT, I will be featuring in a panel discussion on #CulturalRepresentation and #MediaPresentation discussing the role of media in shaping societal attitudes towards persons with disabilities, and niching down to how media can shape positive perceptions of disability. This will be in alignment to this year's #IDPD theme of #AmplifyingLeadership of persons with disabilities for #InclusiveAndSustainableFuture. Shall we engage? Mastercard Foundation; Light for the World; Light for the World Kenya; United Disabled Persons of Kenya UDPK; Stammering Association of Kenya; 50 Million Voices; Doreck Ankunda; Egharevba Stephanie; Olamide Ewejobi #DisabilityInclusion #InternationalDayOfPersonsWithDisabilities #InclusionForImpact

As we conclude our pilot year, we are pleased to share the #WeCanWork Co-creation Report! The co-creation sessions were collaborative spaces where young women and men with disabilities played a central role in shaping program interventions that address their needs and aspirations. By engaging directly with policymakers and decision-makers, they identified barriers to workforce inclusion and proposed practical, context-driven solutions to create truly inclusive workplaces. This report is more than a summary; it highlights the importance of centering the voices and agency of young people with disabilities in designing interventions that foster meaningful change. We encourage leaders and partners in the disability inclusion sector to explore the insights and recommendations from these sessions https://lnkd.in/da_ziEmx. Together, we can build a future where all young people with disabilities have access to dignified and fulfilling work opportunities.  #Cocreation #WeCanWork #YoungAfricaWorks

Meet César Chico, a Disability Inclusion Facilitator in Mozambique. Faced with myths and misconceptions about albinism, César’s powerful message for inclusivity wins out every time.  🎥 Watch now and join the conversation! #DisabilityDay #IDPD #EveryoneIncluded #GlobalGoals #CRPD AFRICAN DISABILITY FORUM (ADF) European Disability Forum International Disability and Development Consortium, International Disability Alliance , United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs

When it comes to career decisions: should you go with your dreams, or what the crowds tell you to do?  Melaku Tekle Zengeta, the super-successful Head of the Disability Inclusion Advisory Unit in our country office in Ethiopia, shares his story.  #DisabilityDay #IDPD #EveryoneIncluded #GlobalGoals #CRPD   AFRICAN DISABILITY FORUM (ADF) European Disability Forum United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs International Disability and Development Consortium International Disability Alliance  

Growing up, Tani Tindano was told: ‘You can’t be a journalist if you have a visual disability.’ Check out what this accomplished journalist, now working at Burkina Faso’s national radio station, had to say in response. And to all our partners, programme participants and colleagues working hard to bring down persistent barriers to success: Happy International Day of People with Disabilities! ✊ Share Tani’s video to celebrate the power of disability inclusion in the workplace and beyond. #DisabilityDay #IDPD #EveryoneIncluded #GlobalGoals #CRPD United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs AFRICAN DISABILITY FORUM (ADF) European Disability Forum International Disability and Development Consortium International Disability Alliance

Light for the World Kenya is honoured to receive the #Employment and Skills Inclusion Award at the 2024 National Disability Conference, hosted by the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) This recognition underscores our leadership in advancing #InclusiveEmployment and creating meaningful economic opportunities for persons with disabilities. It reflects our strategic commitment to transforming inclusion from an ideal into tangible, widespread practice. As we celebrate this milestone, we continue to influence systemic change together with our partners including, organizations of persons with disabilities, national and county governments, and the private sector. “This award reflects the power of collaboration in driving real change. Our partnerships with the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), Organizations of Persons with Disabilities, and advocacy leaders like United Disabled Persons of Kenya UDPK are reshaping policies to ensure inclusion is integrated at every level. As Light for the World Kenya, we are committed to aligning our efforts with government priorities, which is why our longstanding partnerships with the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities are key to ensuring sustainability as our programs evolve,” said Daniel OLOO, Country Director, Light for the World Kenya. #DisabilityInclusionKE #AspireGrowInfluence #IDPD2024 #WeCanWork #RISE Light for the World Iram Bahawal - Suleiman Mastercard Foundation Sightsavers Standard Chartered

Today, we celebrate National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD)'s 20 years of transformative impact in advancing diversity and #Inclusion across Kenya. Visit Light for the World Kenya exhibition booth at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) to explore our collective efforts in driving economic inclusion for persons with disabilities. #AspireGrowInfluence #IDPD2024 #DisabilityDay #EveryoneIncluded, #GlobalGoals #CRPD

Our #Strategy2030 is here! ♿👁️ Light for the World will prioritise five targets by 2030 to spark lasting change: 1️⃣ Increase our agility to address volatility 2️⃣ Strengthen our advocacy and strategic communication 3️⃣ Mobilize funds effectively 4️⃣ Innovate and co-create to walk the talk on our values 5️⃣ Strengthen our accountability Together with the people we work with – the drivers of change – our Strategy 2030 sets us on a stronger footing to deliver impact, at scale, sustainably. Discover more – and check out our new theory of change: https://bit.ly/3OrXXn5 #DisabilityRights #DisabilityInclusion #EyeHealth #AspireGrowInfluence

"I acquired a hearing disability as an adult and had to figure out how to advocate for my own needs. Now, with business and entrepreneurship skills gained from the #InclusiveFutures programme, I mentor other micro-entrepreneurs with disabilities, supporting them to access opportunities, embrace their abilities, and build sustainable businesses," shares Sarah Opot. Sarah is part of the ongoing peer-to-peer mentorship training for micro-entrepreneurs with disabilities and caregivers from Nairobi, Machakos, and Kiambu, facilitated by Light for the World Kenya through the #InclusiveFutures programme. The training equips micro-entrepreneurs like Sarah and caregivers with the knowledge and skills to mentor others, fostering stronger networks and a supportive community where they can share experiences, access markets, and grow sustainable livelihoods. 📸 Check out the photo highlights from our recent mentorship training in Nairobi👇 #DisabilityInclusionKE #AspireGrowInfluence #16DaysOfActivism