Written by Daniel Saenyi and Eric Lumbasi 2011-06-06 11:15:00 Read 80 Times |  |
The Bungoma Paralympics an organization for the disabled in Bungoma County.
As the country is under a political transformation with the new the new constitution in the making and 2012 elections around the corner, this is not the time to forget about the disabled in the society. It’s good that we occasionally have Paralympics for the disabled people but that’s just about it for them.
In Bungoma County, a number of disabled people have come up and started an organization that caters for their needs and educates them on different issues. The Bungoma Paralympics an organization for the disabled in Bungoma County with 40 Members all who say it has been beneficial to them ever since they joined.
The organization is a beneficiary of the Equity banks’ financial management where they are taught how to make, invest and get loans as an organization. The Bungoma Paralympics is the only organization for the disabled in the County that participates in Paralympics races.
Mr. Thomas Kuloba(In white- inset), their coach, says he is able sustain his family by participating in the races. He has since won several marathons like last year’s Nyeri Paralympics and been in top three positions on some occasions. He urges other disabled people in the society to come up and join the group to address their issues as a group.
“I have benefitted a lot since I joined this group and I am also one of the Paralympics champions. I just want to urge other disabled people in the society because we solve our issues faster as a group. It’s high time we stop being underrated as beggars and make lives of our own” Said Mr. Kuloba.
The major challenges the Bungoma Paralympics and many other organizations face is luck of funding. They don’t have enough capital for uniforms or even awards incase of an event. These organizations face a big financial crisis that most brings them down and they cease to exist.
Mr. Ronald Shiundu, Bungoma Paralympics Chairman said. “Our major problem is luck of funds to sustain our organization, I want to request all well wishers to come up and help us achieve our dreams because many of us here have a lot of potential. Many disabled people in the society are seen as weak and incapable of achieving anything we can prove many people wrong if only we had the capital to support ourselves.”
Ronald Shiundu(Chairman) addresssing the members.
Paralympics races are underway and this year, Bungoma Paralympics is ready to participate hoping to have a big win. They are currently preparing for the Olympic Day Run which will be held at the Masinde Muliro Stadium in Kanduyi on 26th June 2011. They also plan to participate in the Paralympics Marathon this year in October which will be held in Nairobi.
As these disabled people in the society are trying to make a difference in their lives by being coming together to help each other, it’s the role of the society to do anything possible to help them realize their dream. The government should also make an effort to help them by donating prizes and set aside funds to be used for their sustenance. Its especially now that the finance ministry is about to make public the Budget for the year 2011/2012 that these people should come to mind because they need the help of the society as a whole.
Read more: http://www.westfm.co.ke/index-page-news-bid-2464.htm#ixzz1OalmrDgR
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