Nakuru-based journalist Madelena Mkirema has gone beyond her journalistic calling to put a smile on the faces of persons living with disability and other vulnerable groups.

This, she does through her organization dubbed Disability Beyond Understanding, which she started in 2020.

Through the organization, the soft-spoken journalist has been able to visit various PWDs’ homes, Nakuru Women’s Prison and schools with special needs students to offer donations, besides telling their stories.

Born and raised in Kisauni, Mombasa County, Mkirema who is in her late 20s, studied at St. Joseph’s Herman Max in Mtopanga in the Coast region.

She would later join Eastmore Girls’ in Nakuru.

After high school, she studied air ticketing before joining Mombasa Aviation College for her Mass Communication studies.

“I got attached at a radio station where I also did an internship as well as volunteering before I got my first job in a Nakuru faith-based radio station,” she said.

Madelena Mkirema with the chairperson of Disability Beyond Understanding Mr Peter Otieno

Photo credit: PRISTONE MAMBILI| NMG

Mkirema believes in bridging the gap that is there when it comes to the rights of vulnerable groups in Nakuru.

Perhaps this is the reason why she has continued to champion for a platform for vulnerable groups to air their grievances while at the same time trying to find solutions to their challenges.

Speaking to Mtaa Wangu, she revealed her passion towards fighting for the rights of the vulnerable through Disability Beyond Understanding.

“Our main mission is to ensure the vulnerable have a voice just like the other people. We want to give hope to them” she said.

Already, her work through the organisation has been felt as she was recently nominated in the SHE Awards in the Founder of the Year category.

She was feted as 1st runners up in the category and she says this is a plus to her and the organisation.

“It gives us hope to continue serving the community even more. Making a positive impact on people's lives is key and it makes me happy” said Mkirema.

Her organization, she says, has a membership of 15 with a clear office structure that includes a chairperson, secretary and treasurer.

According to the chairperson Mr Peter Otieno Ezekiel, there is a need for community sensitization on the rights of PWDs.

“We want to use the platform to educate people that when you see a PWD, you should not see them as beggars but people who are abled differently, see beyond the disability” said Otieno.

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