Maimuna
Maimuna was born on Lamu Island of the coast of Kenya. She lost both parents to HIV-related
illness and now lives with her younger sister, Fatma. Maimuna was born with mild intellectual
disabilities and a severe visual impairment that has progressed to near-total blindness. Despite
these challenges, she has grown in confidence at Lamu Special School, where teachers have
supported her in developing essential daily living skills, including washing, cleaning, and
managing her personal space. They have also nurtured her amazing talents in singing and music,
beadwork, and her passion for selling garments, helping her gain both skills and self-esteem.
In 2024, with strong teacher guidance, Maimuna successfully completed the KILEA Examination,
even though accommodations for her visual impairment were limited. Her teachers worked closely
with Fatma to design a clear and realistic transition plan, tailored to Maimuna’s abilities and
interests. With funds from the project, her transition is now underway. Plans include providing
business and customer-care training to both Maimuna and her sister to set up a small clothing
shop. They are also exploring opportunities for her to supplement her income through her
wonderful singing.
Her progress will be carefully monitored to measure the success of the new enterprise together
with her own independence and confidence. Maimuna’s story highlights the vital role our trained
teachers play in guiding young people with disabilities from school into meaningful work and
community participation.
