There are estimated to be 3 million people in Kenya living with mental disabilities…and of these less than 1% is receiving an education’
(*source: Kenya Society for the Mentally Handicapped)

Primary school children with mental disabilities find it impossible to cope in typical class sizes of over 100 pupils; yet these are the lucky ones - many such children don’t make it to school at all. Why is this?

Social stigma - parents choose to hide their children away from society believing their disability to be a curse on their family.
Vulnerability – many are locked away for their own protection
Lack of hope – most parents do not understand that, with support, their children can be educated and live fulfilling lives.

Kivuli Trust exists because we believe these children have a rightful place in society. By building and operating hostels within the grounds of mainstream schools, we are visibly making this statement.

Our hostels act as safe havens, providing children with regular meals, proper beds and the care and support that they deserve and thrive upon. We work in partnership with local governments who provide the classrooms and specialist teachers.

Our aim is to teach these children essential life skills such as brushing their teeth, cleaning themselves, washing their clothes and performing simple chores about the home. The simple result, which we are witnessing, is that they become more readily accepted into their families and into their communities.