(Left to Right) Olivia Leland, Co-Impact CEO. Maria Omare, The Action Foundation – Executive Director, Tsitsi Masiyiwa, Co-Impact Board Chair and Mary Wandia, Director Programs – Africa, Co-Impact
In an era where global challenges demand collective action and innovative solutions, we are thrilled to partner with the Co-Impact Gender Fund—a transformative initiative poised to impact some of the world’s most pressing issues. This Partnership emerges from a shared vision of change with TAF committed to driving positive change in the lives of children with disabilities and their caregivers.
While there are data gaps in Kenya that make it difficult to put specific figures as to the number of Children with Disabilities (CWDs), estimates indicate that there are 865,000 Children with Disabilities (CWDs) in households in Kenya, and they are unlikely to access quality childcare and education services. Unpaid care work compounded by having a CWD reduces the likelihood of income, limiting caregivers’ agency to make decisions about the care and education of their children. This is compounded by the negative impact on their mental and physical health due to fatigue, distress, and isolation. This problem persists due to the lack of accessibility to health care services, information, and institutions and the high cost of health interventions such as CWD assessments, therapy, and medication.
With this Partnership, we will focus on critical areas to create sustainable and transformative systemic change in healthcare access for children with disabilities. Our initiative is committed to addressing the root causes of poor access to rehabilitative services for children with disabilities, such as financing and data gaps. By investing in scalable, evidence-based approaches, we aim to strengthen health systems at local and national levels to ensure all children with disabilities in Kenya are healthy, have good nutrition, and receive responsive care.
What sets this initiative apart is that we will build on the evidence we have generated from our work over the last 13 years to achieve a broader scale and reach. We seek to bring together a coalition of partners, each contributing their unique expertise, resources, and networks to amplify the impact of responsive rehabilitative services. We aim to create a powerful force for change that transcends traditional boundaries for providing quality rehabilitative services for CWDs.At the core of our work is the belief in the power of local solutions. By empowering communities, particularly female caregivers of CWDs, and supporting systems from the national level to the grassroots, we seek to build sustainable, community-driven change that reflects our community’s unique needs and strengths. We will contribute to a gender-equal world by addressing one of the biggest barriers to social integration for female caregivers of CWDs: the burden of providing full-time care to their children. Local partners and caregivers are integral to the initiative’s success, bringing their deep understanding of context and culture to the forefront.
The Co-Impact Partnership is not just about financial support—it’s about fostering a culture of innovation and learning. We recognize that the most effective solutions often emerge from experimentation and adaptability. As such, we are committed to open communication, sharing both successes and challenges along the way. Through rigorous monitoring and evaluation, we will ensure that resources are deployed effectively and that the initiative delivers tangible results.
As we embark on this transformative journey, we invite you to stay connected, follow our progress, and join the conversation. The Co-Impact Partnership is a catalyst for a brighter future – one that we build together.