Hope Growing in Samburu

In April I had the privilege of returning to Samburu County in northern Kenya to visit Naijipu Oasis of Hope, a remarkable local organisation supporting children with developmental disabilities and their families.

One of the greatest joys was seeing how much has changed since our training together in 2024. The Community Health Workers are now confidently visiting families in their homes, assessing children’s needs, supporting parents and putting into practice the skills they learned. Every child has a record, families are receiving regular follow-up, and parents who once felt isolated are now encouraging and supporting one another.

Together with the BethanyKids team, we ran a two-day training for caregivers, covering practical topics such as positioning, feeding, communication and play, alongside trauma healing. It was wonderful to watch parents immediately put what they had learned into practice. Many spoke of feeling more hopeful, more confident and better equipped to care for their children.

As we travelled across the county—often along muddy tracks made difficult by the rains—we visited families in remote communities. Seeing children now sitting in appropriate APT chairs or standing frames, able to join family life instead of lying on the floor, was a powerful reminder that simple, well-designed equipment can transform both a child’s health and their inclusion.

The final part of my visit was to the BethanyKids APT workshop in Kijabe. The BethanyKids team are one of the organisations that have set up their own workshop following intensive training with the Jabori foundation. Here I worked with the team to improve the design and manufacture of standing frames. Small changes in design and production will make these locally made devices stronger, safer and easier for families to use. It is encouraging to see high-quality assistive equipment being designed and built in Kenya, making it more affordable and accessible for the children who need it most.

The most encouraging outcome of the visit was not simply the number of children seen or people trained, but seeing local people equipped to continue the work long after visitors have gone home. Naijipu Oasis of Hope is building a sustainable community-based programme that is changing attitudes, empowering families and giving children with disabilities the opportunity to thrive. It is a privilege to play a small part in their journey.