The National Fund for the Disabled of Kenya (NFDK) donated an assortment of tools and equipment worthy over Ksh. 784,000 to persons with disabilities in Lugari Sub County
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Speaking during a handing over ceremony of equipment to disabled persons held at the sub county headquarters in Lumakanda, Mr. Bernard Aduda the deputy manager at the NFDK decried the low number of applicants from the area and appealed to the physically challenged persons to open up for them to receive help from the organization.
He said there were no strict rules for one to apply explaining that so long as he/she was disabled and registered, the person was free to apply for assistance from the organization.
He also urged them not to shy away from sending their applications for help from the fund and advised them to visit sub-county social development office and the deputy county commissioner’s office for assistance on how to apply.
Purpose of donations
The official said the purpose of NFDK donating equipment to the disabled persons was to enable them improve their sources of livelihoods and living standards and thus participate in various development project noting that disability was not inability.
At the same time Aduda reminded them that once one is registered as disabled he/she has a right to be exempted from paying tax if he/she is employed or runs business.
Addressing the beneficiaries, Lugari Assistant County Commissioner Mr. Reuben Ratemo urged them to use the machines properly in order to achieve intended purposes and warned that stiffer penalties will be meted out to those found to have sold such equipment.
While thanking NFDK for the donation on behalf of the disabled, Ratemo used the opportunity to appeal to the beneficiaries to help other disabled persons in the villages to apply and benefit from the fund thus enable them engage in business as a way of eradicating poverty in the area.
He also warned parents with disabled children against hiding them and instead advised them to bring them out so that they can be helped saying it was illegal to hide them and that anybody who would be found doing so will face the full wrath of law.
Among the equipment donated during the exercise include sewing machines, battery chargers, hand knitting machines, wheelchairs,wheelbarrows, ox- mouldboard plough, barber kits, saloon kits, carpentry tools among others