Mombasa Cement firm has partnered with Rotary to host a fun day for 2500 children with physical and mental disabilities from 19 Special Needs Schools in the six coastal counties as a way of fostering love.
The yearly event, christened Sunshine Rally, was held at the Shree Hasmukh Kanji Premji Budhai Memorial Hall in Nyali.
The ecstatic children filled the expansive hall to the rafters. They were entertained with music and served sumptuous meals, and gifts were in plenty to make the day memorable.
Mombasa Cement Spokesperson Jayendra Hirani said they were the platinum sponsors of the event that brings together children with disabilities from Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Tana River, Taita-Taveta and Lamu counties.
“As you can see, there is a lot of fun, music, dance, bouncing castles and acrobats,” stated Hirani.
He added that they would endeavour to follow in the footsteps of the late Philanthropist and Founder of the Cement firm who liked and looked after children with disabilities.
The cement firm runs the largest special school in the world built 25 years ago by the late Founder of Mombasa Cement Mr. Hasmukh Patel.
Apart from the special schools, they are also primary and secondary schools with a population of 3000 and 1400 learners respectively.
“He is a gem, a hero who built this school, all these children you see with disabilities have a future and a home they know,” stated Hirani.
Sahajanad Special School is home to 1700 children with various disabilities. “We are recognized as an all-inclusive special school in the whole world, and we have also been nominated in the Guinness Book of World Records,” revealed the Cement Firm Spokesperson.
The Governor of Rotary District 9212 covering Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Eritrea Dr Joe Kamau said the sunshine rally was initiated 43 years ago with 300 children. It is now held annually in five regions in Kenya: Nairobi, Coast, Central, Western and Rift Valley regions.
“This rally brings together kids with disabilities to show them the other side. That they are loved, wanted, and to inspire and give them hope,” stated Dr Kamau, thanking the cement firm for sponsoring the Coast region event.
Children with disabilities were encouraged to explore their full potential in academic and extra-curricular activities.
“Disability is not inability. We have seen worldwide people with disabilities given the opportunity, they are no different from anyone else. They can achieve,” said Dr. Kamau.
“We have seen in the world people with disabilities being innovators in technology and other areas. I am glad that the school Mombasa Cement is running is giving kids the opportunity in whichever field they are good at,” added.
He said they are keen to supplement government efforts in taking care of children with disabilities.
“Our objective is to do good to our needy communities worldwide. Today, we have about 1.4 million members worldwide and a presence in more than 200 countries,” he explained the Rotary reach.
Rose Chege, a Rotarian said they will use the sunshine rally to motivate the children and inspire them to fulfill their career aspirations.
“We also have homeschooling learners in our midst who came with their teachers to join their counterparts from boarding schools,” she said.
By Sadik Hassan
