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Category: From the field

Verhalen van fieldworkers, blogs, project uitgelicht, werkdag van een fieldworker
From the field

16 Years of Hope: Walking for Children with Cerebral Palsy

For 16 years, Stichting Why Not? has believed in one simple truth: every child with cerebral palsy deserves a chance to live with dignity, reach their potential and enjoy life. ❤️

Our physiotherapy journey began in 2010, under a mango tree near Utange Primary School. We had no office and no sophisticated facilities. What we did have was a deep passion to support children and their caregivers.

As more caregivers came to us seeking help, new opportunities opened up. In 2011 , we rented a small office and continued providing free physiotherapy every Tuesday to caregivers who are able to bring their children to us.

How it all began

We started this journey with Mama Zainab, who was then working as a Community Rehabilitation Officer with APDK. She had been visiting children with disabilities door-to-door and came once a week to provide therapy.

Over the years, many dedicated professionals have volunteered their time, knowledge and skills. Thanks to their commitment, we have been able to keep this vital service available to families who might otherwise not be able to afford physiotherapy.

And we have seen the difference it can make. ❤️

Physiotherapy changes lives

Physiotherapy has improved the quality of life of many children with cerebral palsy. Some have gained greater mobility, more confidence and a better ability to participate in school and community life.

Clarence Anyanje is one of our living testimonies.

Despite growing up with cerebral palsy, he completed his Bachelor's degree in Project Planning and Management. His journey reminds us of what is possible when children with cerebral palsy receive the right support early enough.

With the right guidance, they can learn, grow, become more independent and work towards achieving their dreams.

More than physical exercises

Our therapy sessions are about much more than physical exercises.

When caregivers come together, they find a safe space where they can share experiences, learn from one another, build confidence and feel less alone.

Our physiotherapists also teach caregivers exercises and techniques they can continue at home with their children.

From time to time, we also provide training and capacity-building sessions on different issues affecting children with cerebral palsy. This helps families gain the knowledge and skills they need to provide the best possible care and support.

The need is still great

Despite everything we have achieved so far, the need for support is still much greater than what we can currently provide.

There are many more children with cerebral palsy and delayed developmental milestones who are still waiting for physiotherapy and other essential support.

That is why we are inviting everyone to join us for:

Why Not Walk 2026

Saturday, 5 September 2026
Start: 7:30 A.M.
Location: Opposite Mwatamba Police Station

Through the #WhyNotWalk , we want to create awareness about cerebral palsy, promote inclusion and raise funds to expand the support we can provide.

With the funds raised, we hope to:

  • ❤️ Increase the number of physiotherapy days
  • ❤️ Provide assistive devices
  • ❤️ Support children who need epilepsy medication
  • ❤️ Train and empower caregivers
  • ❤️ Create greater awareness in the communities where these children live
  • ❤️ Improve our therapy space
  • ❤️ Provide follow-up and support services to children and their families

You can make a difference

Your support can help create a better future for a child.

You can support us by:

  • Making a donation
  • Buying a T-shirt for yourself, a child, a caregiver or a friend for KSh 1,000
  • Renting an exhibition table for KSh 2,500
  • Sponsoring a child for one year for KSh 9,600

Every contribution, big or small, can help a child take another step towards a better future.

Donate and stand with a child with cerebral palsy

PayBill No.: 303030
Account No.: EULN#

Bank transfer

Bank: ABSA KENYA PLC
Name: STICHTING WHY NOT?
Account No.: 2037771352
SWIFT: BARCKENX

You can also support us through credit or debit card..

Whether you join us physically or participate virtually through a donation, your support can help ensure that no child is left behind simply because their family cannot afford the therapy and support they need.

🌍 Walk with us. Give with us. Stand with us.

#WhyNotWalk #CerebralPalsyAwareness #EveryChildMatters #InclusionMatters #PhysiotherapyForAll #StandWithCPChildren #StichtingWhyNot

From the field

School Package

Stichting Why Not Kenya? established a program that guarantees children with exceptional needs can access education without facing prejudice for the past 14 years. To assure that our children receive a top-notch education, the organization partners with both for-paying and non-paying special learning institutions. The organization supports these children by:

  1. Sponsor the education of children in varying levels
  2. Provide stationaries to learners in government special units.
  3. Make routine trips to the schools we collaborate with to assess and talk with the teachers about our children’s development
  4. To guarantee success and positive outcomes, we offer guidance and counseling services to the children and parents we assist
  5. We collaborate with the neighborhood schools to guarantee our kids receive the greatest care.

Wearing a school uniform is an integral aspect of school life, because it contributes significantly to the development of a child's self-confidence and a school-like feeling. Any student in a Kenyan school is required by law to wear a school uniform. For ease of recognition, every school has a distinctive uniform. This is because a child's uniform color can be used to determine which school they attend.

This year, the organization provided 70 learners with a set of uniforms, to support their academic endeavors. Forty-three of the children that received a pair, each are direct beneficiaries of Stichting Why Not Kenya? The remaining 27 learners are from three special units, namely: Utange, Kadzandani, and Concordia. They were also supported with a pair each, due to the good relations we have cultivated over the years.

Because we wanted our learners to look smart and presentable, we employed the services of Coast Tailoring Store, which specializes in creating high-quality school uniforms for various schools in Mombasa and beyond. Stichting Why Not Kenya? has been partnering with this company for several years, and they occasionally give discounts or sponsor some children with uniforms when we place an order.

The company was very thoughtful to provide us with one of their tailors to come to our office, and also visit some of the schools. They took measurements for all the identified learners, so that we didn’t disrupt learning or tire out the parents and children. Since each school has a distinct design and color, our fieldworker collected samples from each to assist tailors in creating the appropriate uniforms.

When preparing the uniforms, the company's tailors took into account the unique needs of each child. For example, they made dresses and trousers for the young children with cerebral palsy who are unable to walk, skirts and blouses for the older girls, and shirts, shorts, and trousers with elastic so the older boys won't have to struggle to button them. The children were happy when they received their uniforms on time, indicating that Coast Tailoring Store did a wonderful job in preparing the uniforms.

You are welcomed to support the work we do to:

  1. Ensure that every year we not only provide uniforms, but also shoes and bags for our kids because they grow out of them so quickly.
  2. Ensure that our special children have access to school supplies and other learning, so that they can engage fully in classroom activities.
A tailor taking measurements a child at Utange special unit
From the field

Mr. Peter

This year the Kenyan team said goodbye to Mr. Peter. Although by Dutch standards he could have retired a long time ago, he has been part of the fieldworkers since the start of Why Not.

In 2010 we got to know Mr. Peter Kimani as "the man with the crutches". You could hear him coming from afar, by the clicking of his crutches. Mr. Peter is a village elder and Why Not's eyes and ears in the villages. He keeps Why Not informed of what is going on in the villages and arranges home visits and activity days. He is a jack-of-all-trades, but also a very important and respected man, who keeps in touch with the chief. This kind, caring and humorous man is the key between the community and Why Not. Because he himself has a physical disability (he walks with crutches), he is very involved in the mission of Why Not. And thus he is also the example of how someone with a disability can indeed fulfill an important task. To Mr. Peter we owe the good connection and communication with the community! We are forever grateful to him.

Mr. Peter, role model with a disability

As of this year he will be enjoying his well-earned retirement. We, Why Not, are pleased to be able to contribute to his retirement and hope that we will hear him from time to time, to visit Why Not and the children who have become so dear to him.

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