From August to December 2024, Millennium Fellows across the globe drove transformative change in their communities through bold, locally rooted initiatives. Over the coming weeks, these Fellows will share their stories of impact, lessons learned, and the challenges they overcame during the Millennium Fellowship program. Fellows in Eldoret, Kenya share their work fostering S.T.E.M. Equity for Persons with Disabilities.
"In 2024, Millennium Fellows at the University of Eldoret (UoE) in Kenya spearheaded a group project titled Differently Enabled, which focuses on mentoring learners with disabilities to pursue S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) courses and careers. By raising community awareness, the project aims to dismantle stigma and stereotypes surrounding persons with disabilities (PWDs). In many African countries and beyond, societal norms often restrict PWDs to predefined career paths, limiting their potential.
The misconception that PWDs cannot excel in S.T.E.M. fields perpetuates inequality, marginalization, and mental health challenges. Aligned with SDGs 4 (Quality Education), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and 10 (Reduced Inequalities), the University of Eldoret cohort designed this project with the following objectives:
Bridging the gap between disabled and abled individuals.
Empowering PWDs to explore sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Organizing workshops to sensitize communities and foster safer environments for PWDs.
Creating inclusive spaces where PWDs feel valued in societal growth and development.
To implement this initiative, the cohort visited the Eldoret School for the Hearing-Impaired, a public special education institution in Eldoret East, Kenya. Managed by local government authorities, the school offers the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) under the Ministry of Education.
This project holds significant potential to promote inclusive education and sustainable livelihoods for People living with Disabilities.
During their visit, the fellows met Tr. Joel, an enthusiastic math teacher and mentor who is deaf himself. A 2022 mathematics graduate from Kenyatta University in Nairobi, Tr. Joel exemplified the potential of PWDs in S.T.E.M. fields.
The project’s second phase took place in October 2024, with the cohort mentoring Junior Secondary students through interactive sessions and co-curricular activities. The mentorship emphasized S.T.E.M. disciplines, with each fellow highlighting their motivations, the importance of S.T.E.M., career inspirations, and how students can defy limitations by pursuing these fields.
During the sessions, the cohort learned sign language, gained insights into the students’ aspirations, and identified challenges faced by the deaf community. This knowledge will inform future follow-up programs to maximize impact. Key takeaways included:
Teamwork and shared values: Collaboration between fellows, the university, and the school.
Learning before serving: Engaging directly with PWDs to understand their needs rather than making assumptions.
Contextualizing morality: Balancing societal norms with ethical action.
Empowering youth: Providing tools and resources for PWDs to chart their own paths.
Shared responsibilities: Leveraging individual strengths and leadership styles within the team.
This project holds significant potential to promote inclusive education and sustainable livelihoods for PWDs. The University of Eldoret Millennium Fellowship cohort remains committed to expanding its impact through ongoing partnerships and mentorship beyond the Fellowship period."
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