We are excited to tell you about a new partnership we have made with a local project, APT Kenya, part of The Potter's House CBO.

Approximately 114,500 children are born with cerebral palsy in Kenya each year, and 70% of those children live in poverty.

Nearly half of these will be unable to sit or stand unsupported and will spend their time lying inside on the floor or on a mattress.

Sadly for many parents, affording access to rehabilitation and equipment that can help position their child is not possible. Their poverty has become a barrier to accessing the relevant medical needs of their child. This, alongside the stigma of disabilities, can lead to shame and feeling alone in their struggles.

A lack of education about disabilities also means that parents don't always know how best to practically care for their child. This can result in isolation, a lack of stimulation and prolonged poor postures (causing complications such as bed sores and painful and fixed contractures). These children often become 'invisible'. 

Part of our role in the Tumaini Community is to facilitate bringing about the vision of One Collective, that no-one should be invisible....APT Kenya has made an immediate impact in helping us work towards achieving this vision.

The APT KENYA project started in February 2022 in Njoro, Nakuru County. Appropriate Paper-based Technology (APT), is a sustainable solution using locally sourced materials: recyclable waste cardboard, newspaper, and flour which is used to make a glue-like paste to make sitting and standing aids which provide postural support.

The cardboard is first stuck together using the glue-like flour paste, then cut to size (bespoke to the child who requires the device), then it is covered in newspaper and brown paper before finally being painted.

The Potter’s House CBO employs parents from the families that the charity works with, giving them an income and therefore helping to feed their families and pay school fees.

James, one of our residents at Matumaini Rehabilitation Centre, has recently had a sitting and standing aid made by APT Kenya. Previously he would spend the majority of his day lying down. Seeing him now being able to sit (supported), and able to engage with the other children, has been absolutely incredible!