Factors Contributing To Poor Response to the Problem of the Disabled. A Case Study of Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity, a Home for the Disabled Children, Otiende langata.
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Date
2012
Authors
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Publisher
Tangaza University College
Abstract
This research explores factors contributing to the problem of the poor response to the
problem of disability. While conducting this research, the researcher used the pastoral Cycle
methodology of SEE, JUDGE and ACT. SEE is the insertion process whereby one gets in touch
with the reality of the situation at hand. The aim here is to identify the situation facing the
people, what they are feeling, undergoing and how they are responding.
touching the reality through objective observations and subjective feelings.
1
It is a moment of
Social analysis and theological reflection. Social analysis is where, “one looks at the different
dimensions that influence its situations by analysing the historical, political, economical, social,
cultural and religious dimensions.”
3
2
JUDGE is the
In other words, it is to do with understanding the reality and
people’s own consciousness and searching for the root causes of the situation.
reflection is when the person examines the reality of the situation with a Christian eye. The aim
is to link the lived experience of the people with their living faith.
5
4
Theological
Then ACT is putting into
action concrete steps, taking the necessary steps, and evaluating the results in order to plan
anew.
6
This was done through the practicum exercise at the Missionaries of Charity Sister,
Otiende in Langaata.
Looking at today’s society, one realises that most of the disabled children/people
experience and endure rejection, mistreatment and violations of all sorts from the society. Most of them have been denied of their human dignity and have been forced to lead miserable lives in
dehumanizing conditions and others have lost their lives due to dehumanising living conditions.
Though the statistics do not show clearly the exact number of people who are victims of
various forms of human disabilities world-wide, demographers agree that the world population
of individuals with disabilities is very large. For example, in 2000, the World Health
Organization (WHO) estimated that between 7% and 10% of the world’s population lives with
disabilities which means almost 500 million people are disabled. The vast majority of them,
about 80%, live in developing countries, where only 1% to 2% have access to the necessary
rehabilitation services.
7
Additionally, in Kenya, according to 2008 Kenya National Survey for
Persons with Disabilities, 4.6% of Kenyans (1.6 million) experience some form of disability.
This shows that quite a large population is disabled and need to be cared for. The most common
forms of disability in Kenya are associated with chronic respiratory diseases, cancer, diabetes,
malnutrition, HIV and AIDS, and injuries, such as those from road accidents.
8
that the problem of the disabled in Kenya is an issue which needs to be responded to effectively.
This clearly shows
In the disability field, ignorance, neglect, superstitution and fear have led to many
children with disabilities being isolated and their development delayed. This has led to
discrimination of children with disabilities because awareness on the needs of disabled children
is minimal. About 80% of the disabled people in Kenya experiencing segregation, isolation, and
lack of support for their needs. More than one-third of the disabled, their own families had committed abuse or violence on them, and more than 45 percent families do not allow them to
participate in family activities on the same basis as other family members.
This research will mainly be based books, journals, internet sources, Church documents and
unpublished work. It emphasises the factors contributing to the poor response to the problem of
the disabled children. Chapter one entails the insertion point and the background of the issue of
disability. Chapter two presents literature review, which will base on the available literature
about human disability. In chapter three, there is a theological reflection whereby the researcher
explores the Biblical, the Church’s teachings, the African Synod understanding of human
disability, and the researcher’s experience as he worked with the disabled children. Chapter four
presents conclusions and recommendations to various stakeholders who are key to the issue of
disability.
Description
Keywords
Disabled, Missionaries of Charity, Children, Human Disability, Disabilities in Kenya, Cultural Beliefs and Practices, Physically Challenged Children