My name is
Mariana Vikstrom and I have known the Principal, Mr. Wilson Otieno and his
family for the past 15 years. On the website, he explains the history of the
school and how fast it has grown since he was appointed. Please read more about
the school here: www.OgandeSpecialSchool.org

The school depends
on governmental funds. The budget for the special schools is separated from
that of the regular schools in Kenya. However, many schools additionally depend
on other donors, like churches, NGO’s and private sponsors. Ogande has had buildings
and equipment sponsored, but does not receive funds from any other institution
than the government. Up to 2013, the funds were disbursed without delay. Today,
the situation is different. Funds are delayed and there is an ever present fear
of drought.

Additionally,
the governmental funds have been delayed for so long that the water vendors are
no longer willing to bring water on credit. Let me give you an example of
what this school accomplishes for these 121 children/youth. 

Our school motto: Disability Is Not Inability. 

Performance of the school

Geoffrey was 13 when he was found locked inside a dark room, together with his twin brother. He
could neither speak nor walk. "They could only crawl, like animals",
the Principal, Mr. Wilson Otieno, explains. The management had been informed of
these twins and went to investigate. They transferred the boys to the school
and today, one year later, I meet them, walking around, in good health and with
smiling faces, happy to see me, a "mzungu" ("white"
person). The extraordinary examples are many. One girl who could not speak
a word when she first attended the school (in 2008), now speaks three
languages, one fluently.