Nonprofit Spotlight: Kupenda for the Children

Kupenda for the Children is a U.S. nonprofit that transforms harmful beliefs and practices surrounding disability to those that improve children’s lives. Each year, Kupenda trains thousands of families, youth, and leaders as disability advocates. These advocates then help children with disabilities access the education, medical care, and inclusion they deserve.

Worldwide, over a billion people have a disability severe enough to limit their participation in family, community and political life. More than half are children. Children with disabilities are frequently marginalized and many lack access to education and medical support, particularly in low-income countries, where 80% of these children live. In many low-income countries, including Kupenda’s focus region of coastal Kenya, these children are also often viewed through the lens of harmful superstitions Such beliefs can result in children being hidden, neglected, abused, or even killed.

Kupenda (which means “love” in Kiswahili) addresses these life-threatening misconceptions by partnering with and training families and trusted community leaders, including faith leaders, traditional healers, teachers, health workers, and government officials.  These advocates are then equipped to shift mindsets, replace superstition with truth, reduce stigma, and champion the rights, inclusion, and dignity of children with disabilities.

Today, partners in over 30 countries use Kupenda’s approaches and tools to improve the lives of more than 100,000 children annually.  Through its advocacy, education, medical and livelihoods programs, the organization continues to advance its vision of a fully inclusive society where people of all abilities have access to health, education, and a loving community. 

Learn more about Kupenda for the Children at www.kupenda.org, including how you can sponsor a child with a disability so they can access education.