Ruth Awuora, a 47-year-old woman in Vihiga County is deaf but the hearing disability has not stopped her from inspiring hope where is none, instilling positivity where hopelessness reigns.

Ruth lost her sense of hearing ability at the age 12, which shocked her family and people around her. The default assessment of her condition in a culture that is steeped in witchcraft and spiritualism was: she was bewitched.

“They thought it was witchcraft but with time they understood it was a call to serve the helpless cohort of the community,” she says

Since then she has devoted her life to reaching out to people living with disability and others in need of help. Her earlier years were full of frustrations, ranging from rejection to lack of school fees to fund her special education needs.

“I was very needy when I was in school until the national fund for people with disability in Kenya came to my aid and helped me join Daystar University,” she said.

At some point Ruth dropped out of school but she used that time to work as a volunteer. She became a teacher at St Angela Mumias for the Deaf.

“So when I see needy learners, it reminds me of my past and I do not hesitate to help at all costs,” she said.

She narrated how she helped a boy who was born with a rare condition and was sent away from school because the condition had caused him a wound that was getting worse. Ruth said she reached out to well-wishers and the boy received treatment at Agha Khan Hospital in Kisumu.

“When you do have a disability you do not have friends. That’s why I chose to volunteer and impact the lives of others especially those who are deaf like me,” she explained.

“It is not easy for a person with special needs to feel confident about helping others because more often, they face constant struggles in life: at home, in school and in their work place,” Ruth explains.

Now Vihiga County National Council for Persons with Disability director, Ruth has befriended and journeyed with many deaf people and those in need. She says while the national council for persons with Disability supports one with tuition fees, when it comes to personal requirements it’s the responsibility of a parent to fulfil that.

“There are cases of orphaned children who have no support. In such a case I do my best to make sure they receive education. I assist them get that basic need,” she says.

She is currently assisting a needy boy, Daniel Otieno, to get school requirements and is determined to see him through secondary school successfully.

“I always find joy in volunteering. I once helped a young girl who was a total orphan go back to school after she dropped out in class eight. I was able to get her a scholarship and she is completing form four this year” she recalls. “It feels good to give back to society.”

To fulfil her desire to better impact the lives of the disadvantaged, Ruth is currently pursuing a PhD degree in special needs and has a keen interest in helping children born with disability.

Her PhD research focuses on helping pre-lingual deaf children and children who are born deaf or became deaf shortly after birth become successful in life.  Currently, these categories of deaf learners have not been able to study up to university degree level as they cannot access the curriculum.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Rose Wasike