Ngorika and Kanjuiri ridges is a vast area located in a remote and hilly area of Nakuru east Sub-county, off Nakuru -Nairobi Highway neighboring the Delamere Estate. This region is characterized by remoteness, impassable roads, and high incidences of disabilities. The presence of fluoride in water has a big impact on the community’s health especially teeth and weak bones. Lack of access to good healthcare has also contributed to many cases of disabilities arising from lack of primary health as well as pre and ante-natal care for pregnant women and post-natal care for young children. Home deliveries have also contributed to maternal mortality and avoidable disabilities. Transportation is a major limitation in this region and this results in making essential commodities unaffordable to many. Most people in this region live below the poverty line and the elderly, PWDS and other vulnerable groups are at risk of starvation. Most of the land is not arable due to the hilly terrain and rocky outcrops which are visible everywhere in the area.

Springs of Hope Foundation responded to a call to assist from the local community leaders who had heard about our work with vulnerable groups. On 23rd October Springs of Hope Foundation planned a visit to Ngorika ridge where the targeted groups were: the elderly, persons with disabilities, and the vulnerable in the estate. Springs of Hope Foundation had prepared 60 food hampers to be distributed to needy families and on this day, we reached out to 22 persons with disability, 25 elderly persons, and 13 vulnerable families. It is important to note that some of the elderly persons also had disabilities, some of the vulnerable recipients were taking care of elderly parents at home and some of the recipients for PWDS picked up hampers for elderly or bedridden children and elderly.
The Springs of Hope Foundation team comprised of Martha, 3 students, and Martha’s husband, Mr. Wachira as the
designated driver. As a team, we were well received by the community who kept a safe distance all through the process.
Martha sensitized the community on Kijiji Mission’s work while Wachira explained to the parents of children with disability about the registration processes, access to education, and mobility aids.
This was a PWD-led exercise and during our interaction, the chairman Mr. Muiga explained to us that an even bigger and desperate group lived further into the area known as Kanjuiri Ridge approximately 10 kilometers away. He also explained that due to transport barriers the PWDS could not travel to Ngorika to collect their hampers. A visit was planned to Kanjuiri Ridge on 28th October, where again a group of 60 persons was targeted. Planning for this took some time since one thing was clear to us, our transport –aka the “tractor” could not handle that terrain. Wachira made a request to one of his friends who lent us a 4×4 truck that could handle the road. This trip was successful and the community was also sensitized about the work done by Kijiji Mission as well as options available to PWDS children in order to access education and mobility aids.

Prepared by;

Ephantus Wachira