PWDs in Kiambu benefit from skills training

A new programme in Kiambu County seeks to empower people living with disabilities with vocational skills to venture into self-employment.

Drawn from all the 12 sub-counties, 20 team leaders of PWD groups with 35 members each have finalized hands-on skills training on Khaki business, branding and marketing.

The two-months programme has equipped them with skills on manufacturing of khaki packaging bags used to package food items such as sugar, rice, cooking flour, gift bags, book covers, envelopes among other items.

The free-training offered by Jamii Products Limited, a local khaki bag manufacturing company, hopes to give the PWDs a head start to venture into small business enterprises.

According to Charles Kimani who is the Jamii Products proprietor, the project focused on the trainees’ abilities instead of their disabilities.

He noted that the training, which is matched to the trainees interests, level of ability, and market needs, seeks to help them venture in in-demand small businesses to help them combat emotional and financial stress that they grapple with in life.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony of the fourth cohort in a program that started last year, Kimani (pictured) noted that most PWDs have been struggling with discrimination, loss of social life, lack of key government support that often result in psychological problems, depression and physical exhaustion.