Strathmore Law School students accompanied by their Dean, Dr. Luis Franceschi, paid a visit to the Orione Community Training Center, a not-for-profit organization located in Rongai, where students with mental and intellectual disabilities are assisted and taught skills that enable them to earn a living and become fully-fledged members of the society.

 

Through guidance from the patrons at the centre, students assisted in planting trees in the field. The Director of the Centre, Father Alejandro Yañez, took the team on a tour of the centre, showing them the different rooms and their functions, where students of different levels of learning use to further their education while reinforcing their existing knowledge.

 

The students at the Centre struggle with mental disabilities and intellectual impairments such as hydrocephaly, microcephaly, down syndrome, autism and cerebral palsy. By assessing individual needs the centre is able to provide each student with particular care that helps them best utilise their talents and overcome the challenges associated with their infirmities. The Centre also holds sessions with parents or guardians of the students, with the aim of training them on how to care for the students reinforcing what is taught in school, at home.

 

The Centre has a farm where several varieties of vegetables are grown, with a portion sold to supplement its needs. Some of the students work on the farm and gain income to support themselves.

 

Father Alejandro explained that while there was a great need for the Centre to provide change, there was an even greater need for societal attitudes towards mentally disabled individuals. He emphasised that there is a disability of the heart in the society. This disability causes many to shun, hide or neglect those living with mental disability.

 

Reginald Manyara, a fellow law student who works at the centre, briefed the Strathmore team on the need for the recognition and protection of the rights of mentally disabled people within the society, with particular emphasize on the fact that due to social stigma, mentally disabled people are denied their rights to basics such as education and healthcare.

 

The visit provided insights to the students on the plight of the overlooked in society and how enforcement of the law is necessary in creating a society that treats all as equal.

 

 

Article written by student Mitchel Ondili