People with disabilities are some of the most vulnerable members of society because the system is not designed to cater to their needs and give them equal access to resources. In an attempt to redress this systemic imbalance, local teacher Merab Imai volunteers her time and energy to empowering Kenyan children with disabilities by ensuring they have necessary and relevant information regarding their disabilities, and more importantly, equal access to educational opportunities.
A child of the 60s, Merab lives with a disability of her own, having suffered from post-polio effects. In the late 1980s, she joined Moi University and graduated in 1992, after which she joined the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) to pursue a course in Special Needs Education. Through this course, Merab discovered her calling. She dedicated her working life to caring for learners with physical disabilities and other learning difficulties, taking up a position as a teacher in Joytown Secondary School in Thika, a national school for learners with physical disabilities.
Merab’s work as a teacher extends beyond the classroom as she looks for resources to share with and aid her students. When she joined Joytown, they had a school exchange programme and Merab was lucky enough to go on one of their international trips to Norway. This visit exposed her to life in a different society, and she realised there is much more that can be done locally to enable people from different communities to talk, bridge gaps and overcome harmful stereotypes. Merab therefore introduced a Cultural Extravaganza at her school and organised a fashion show, to encourage the children to learn about each other’s backgrounds and appreciate where they all come from.
In 2010, Merab joined the Organisation for Intercultural Education, a non-governmental organisation that runs intercultural exchange groups between countries including Kenya, France, Germany, USA, Italy, South Africa, and Egypt. As a volunteer, she hosts families and cultural informants, trains other volunteers, and particularly advocates for the inclusion of learners with disabilities in such study abroad programmes. In 2012, Merab sent two learners with physical disabilities to the United States, a first within the organisation. Though her hard work and dedication, she rose within the ranks to become the president of the Mt. Kenya chapter, meaning she manages the entire region, and liaises with chapters in other parts of the country.
Merab’s volunteering efforts are a labour of love. She dedicates her time, without monetary compensation, alongside her full-time job as a teacher. Like any other human being, she sometimes gets burnt out, but she takes the space to reenergise and keep going, because she understands that the work she does is for a greater cause.
Her advice to others wanting to volunteer? You must understand that volunteering is not comfortable or convenient. You will meet challenges and must be willing to sacrifice, but the reward is that others will benefit from the work you are doing. Remember to maintain a balance by meticulously planning your schedule, having an open dialogue with employers about your responsibilities and, of course, prioritising time with your loved ones.
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