Overcoming the Odds of disability, story of a dumb and blind graduate.

In a world that is very competitive it is not easy to come out and imprint your name among those accorded the heroes and heroines of this dispensation. This is much more noticeable among those who are abled differently from the norm.

Dolphine  Gesare Biyogo hails from Omosobwa, Boochi, Magena in Kisii County and her skills in Machine Knitting, embroidery, basketry, cookery, childcare,  farming, education and  in matters to do with business and other hand on skills, she is  without a  match.

The 21 year old lady is dumb and blind however that has not made her shy from performing ordinary duties for ordinary people. Before interacting with her you may not notice of her condition.

She is a lady with so much to offer and a lot of inspiration to not only the young generation characterized by youth lamenting for white collar jobs but also to the technocrats in the leadership systems who have played blind to the existence and ability of people with disability. 

Gesare pursued a degree in Home Science and with the skills learnt she heartily expresses her readiness to face the world and make her mother, Sarah Mwango Onchwati, who has single-handedly graced the odds to ensure her daughter is educated.

Mwango describes the journey of a widow raising a child with such a condition with a lot of nostalgia. Her greatest plea is that her daughter secures a decent job to realize her loftiest aspirations. 

“Am really praying hard that she would get a job or market for her products. She is a very able daughter who does a lot on her own. You can see what she has made. Is it not beautiful?” Mwango appealingly describes while showing off her daughter’s handwork.

Gesare converses in sign language and she earnestly desires to have a knitting machine. She explains also that so far the market for her products is limited 

“I love doing this without strain. Am just like any normal person. My hands can feel what I am doing similarly to those who have eyes. I plead to anyone who has been touched by my story to either aid me get a job or a knitting machine,” she says.

She dreams of helping her family and siblings meet the comforts of this life and this she can achieve by managing to get a means of livelihood.

The majority of people who are disabled prefer to beg on the streets or be a burden to the family members, the society and the country at large. This is in no way reflected in the life of Dolphine Gesare.

Her neighbors and acquaintances express optimism that with her prowess in hand-on skills she is headed somewhere great. The only barrier at the moment between her and her destiny is time and opportunity. While many of them are encouraging her by purchasing her commodities, the income earned is not enough to aid her meet the basic needs as well as have some savings.

Gesare has demonstrated to the society Indeed that disability is not inability.

Nyachae Brian

Head of Radio/Media Programming Expert/Broadcasting & Journalism/Virtual Assistant/Radio Vuna