After being denied admission in five schools a young girl from Nandi County with albinism is now getting life skill development training at the Karen Contemplative Retreat Centre in Nairobi.
Winnie Jelimo was ecstatic on Wednesday when she travelled for the first time via plane to Nairobi where she arrived to attend a life-changing training opportunity in discovering her talent.
Her flight was sponsored by one Henry Rotich who said that a number of other young boys and girls from Koisolik village accompanied her and were excited by the prospect of one of their peers travelling by air from the Eldoret airport.
Rotich has been and is still offering support to children with disabilities in his Nandi County area. Rotich said that disability is never an inability and that such children should be supported to achieve their dreams.
“I picked her up at the Jomo Kenya International airport 45 minutes after boarding a flight from Eldoret where she was accompanied by her father. She is now set to join her coveted Karen Contemplative retreat centre. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that will develop her personal skills as well as help her access mentorship programs,” said Rotich.
“I thank Senator Isaac Mwaura who has been consistent in his fight for the rights of people living with disability and more so those living with albinism, through his support and that of Kenya Education Fund and the Albinism Society of Kenya, more children with albinism have gotten the requisite support to advance their careers,” he added.
According to Simon Munyao who is a programs officer at the Kenya Education Fund, the skill development training will focus on talent, actualization, academic guidance, self-awareness, effective communication and development of character among others.
His father Samwel Kipruto told the media that they almost lost hope but now that lost hope has bounced to be an inspiration to many young children in Nandi County, especially for those living with albinism.
“I did not expect this in my dreams that my daughter could come this far, she hopes of becoming a doctor and a judge. She has drawn inspiration from Mumbi Ngugi and I have no problem with her dreams becoming a reality with each passing day. She has inspired many children living with the same condition across the country,” said Kipruto.
Kipruto implored parents to treat all children equally regardless of their disability.
Last year Jelimo was denied admission to five secondary schools because of her albinism condition despite posting good marks in her Kenya Certificate of Primary Education.
Fortunately through the support of senator Isaac Mwaura, who is the Chairman of the Albinism Society of Kenya and the Kenya Education Program managed to get admission at Kapkenda Girls High School where she is attending at the moment with her school fees has been covered.