The Salvation Army has been involved in the education of learners with disabilities for a long time.
In Kenya, this work commenced in 1942, facilitated by an officer with experience in training people with visual impairments.
Education
Kenya East
Eighty years of supporting learners with visual impairments
The Salvation Army has been involved in the education of learners with disabilities for a long time. In Kenya, this work commenced in 1942, facilitated by an officer with experience in training people with visual impairments.
1942
Informal training begins at the officers’ training college in Nairobi, with a few individuals learning to read Braille.
1944
The Salvation Army agrees to partner with the government and build The Thika Technical School for the Blind. Twenty students are enrolled initially.
The institute offers two types of training, one academic and one trade-based, with learners taught trades including carpentry, shoe-making and gardening.
1954
The institute offers primary education to visually-impaired learners, changing its name to Thika School for the Blind.
Girls enrol at the institute for the first time.
1960
A nursery school opens within the primary school, with a total of 17 children enrolled.
1967
The Thika High School for the Blind is opened to support learners to continue their education into high school.
Today
The Salvation Army continues to provide quality education to learners with visual impairment, helping individuals become independent.
We have seen many students graduate over the years, going on to contribute to the growth of the country and the disability sector.
The Salvation Army has played a big role in the field of education of learners with visual impairments in Kenya.
- It was the first to provide training for teachers of learners with visual impairments.
- It developed the first curriculum for visually-impaired learners and adapted the curriculum for the needs of those students.
Thika School graduates
The legacy of Thika School is its graduates, including:
Edwin Osundwa
(1993-1997)
Country Director CBM Global – Kenya
James Mutahi
(1995-1998)
Musician
Monica Wamaitha
(1993-1996)
Teacher
Isaac Mwaura
(2007-2010)
Government Spokesperson
Ruth Ndunge
(1994-1997)
The Salvation Army
Jackson Agufana
(1994-1997)
Executive CEO Kenya Union of the Blind
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Eighty years of supporting learners with visual impairments
The Salvation Army has been involved in the education of learners with disabilities for a long time. In Kenya, this work commenced in 1942, facilitated by an officer with experience in training people with visual impairments.
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