Alex Kamale is 35 years old member of L’Arche Kenya and lives with his brother in the outskirts of Nyahururu town in Nyandarua County. He has a learning disability associated to a mild mental impairment. In L’Arche Kenya, adults with intellectual disabilities like Alex are also referred to as core members because they are at the centre of all the organizational interventions. The organization offers home care, nurtures the gifts of adults with intellectual disabilities through occupational training and involves them in advocating for disability inclusion in the society through outreach activities.
Alex comes from home every morning to work and goes back in the evening as a core member in the day program. This routine gives him a chance to go to work like other men of his age, his disability notwithstanding. Previously he worked in the candle-making workshop where he did well and could independently produce candles with minimal support. He has since moved to the bakery workshop which is both an occupational therapy workshop and an income generating project for the organization, because he likes baking and making pastries. He has improved his baking skills and can make pastries such as tea scones, cookies and mandazi. He also operates the oven with minimal support. He is good in time management, hygiene and socialization.
His other hobbies include cycling and watching TV. Due to his cycling prowess, the core member is a team captain in the 2021 cycling event dubbed “stretching our limits campaign” which aims at raising funds and making awareness about disabilities. His team has a target of Kshs. 1.5 million.
The plan is to have Alex perfect his baking skills and finally be exited into the outside job market to work in his area of interest as a baker. It is consequently expected that he will earn an income and live an independent life. His growth as an adult living and working independently shall be a perfect witness of the potential of adults with intellectual disabilities which is the mission of L’Arche Kenya.
