Taking Notes: Kenya Training Report, November 2025

As part of DSI’s expansion, we’ve formed partnerships in multiple countries in Africa. In Kenya, we’re working with Children with Disabilities Support Organization (CWDSO), an organization that has actually been connected to DSI and waiting to work together since our founding in 2016.

Together we held our first training in November; the first DSI training in Africa!

About the Training

DSI believes in training that responds to unmet needs and builds upon existing strengths of local organizations and individuals. Leading up to this training, we worked together to develop a full training sequence in order to strategically equip the CWDSO team working in different areas within the country. This is planned in three phases: initial training at one location; additional training sessions at other CWDSO locations; and support for training of parents.

This training completed the first phase in November 2025, in Vihiga County. Fourteen key leaders from local schools attended this intensive 3-day training on our behavior module to build their knowledge and skills so they can both use the training themselves and also serve as trainers and coaches in the next two phases.

In addition to the training, during their time together, this cohort also visited the House of Sparrows, where CWDSO house and care for abandoned children with severe disabilities. They created this video to share about that deeply meaningful visit:

Want to see more of what the training looked like? Check out this shared album of collected media.

Reach, Impact and Feedback

CWDSO estimates that this training will have a direct and immediate impact on the education and lives of 623 children with disabilities.

But the impact doesn’t stop with the fourteen teachers and leaders who participated in this training. Their action plans show that they intend to share what they learned with 67 additional teachers and 278 parents, extending the reach of this training well beyond the initial group.

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At the conclusion of the training, 100% of trainees said they felt prepared to put their new knowledge into practice and share it with others. Throughout the training, participants shared again and again how meaningful this opportunity was, and how much they hope similar opportunities can reach more teachers across Kenya.

"In my entire teaching of children with disabilities, I have never had such a training away from school to learn how well to interact with my learners. I am amazed at such an opportunity. If resources allowed every [break in the school year] DSI can reach more teachers in different counties in Kenya. It will change the special needs education... we pray for resources."

This is the power of this approach: one training can create a ripple effect, equipping local educators to bring new knowledge, skills, and support to many more teachers, families, and children.

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What Happens Next?

DSI and CWDSO are already preparing for Phase 2, building on the success of this training to begin expanding its reach and impact. Everyone who participated in Phase 1 will share what they learned by training leaders and teachers at other CWDSO locations and schools. The goal is to begin this work in 2026, as soon as resources allow, to reach teachers in all of CWDSO 42 feeder special schools.

In Phase 3, DSI and CWDSO will provide support to all the trainees to share with parents and other caregivers to ensure children with disabilities receive consistent growth and opportunity at school and at home.

Judith Olimba, Founder and Executive Director, emphasizes the great need for services for children with disabilities and appropriate training for those who provide it:

“DSI’s training model is a very good thing, and it hasn’t been done in Kenya before,” she says. “I believe this training will help teachers not only to include children with disabilities in school, but also understand how to teach them!”

You can help DSI and CWDSO continue the training program. Donate to sponsor a training in Kenya, or in any of the countries we’re working in. Our thanks to everyone who has helped make these trainings possible.

While financial support is necessary for training sessions to take place, DSI also welcomes skilled volunteers with expertise in program development, fundraising, social media, and more. There are lots of ways to get involved and help us improve the lives of children with disabilities around the world.

And if you’d like to learn even more about Judith Olimba and the founding of Children with Disabilities Support Organization, don’t miss her recently-released book, The Erithrina Abyssinica, available in Kindle and paperback formats. All proceeds will support CWDSO.