By Laurine Jepchirchir
In Bonjoge village, Nandi County, we meet Charles Murei Serem, a physically handicapped man thriving in farming.
His cringy hands symbolize years of hard work. His smile disappears beneath his eyes. He was diagnosed with a growth tissue that affected his spinal cord that eventually affected his legs.
At a ripe age of 17, this was a major setback since he could initially walk normally.
“After the diagnosis I realized I could not walk again. For 3 years, I did not have a wheelchair so I had people carry me around,” recalled Serem.
He embraced the situation and made a decision that he was not going to let it define his future.
Against all odds, his life had to move on. He married and all along have been blessed with 6 children. And his wife has been his rock.
“I realized that I could not just sit around. I would wheel myself to the farm and dig along with the help of my wife. Sometimes I would get off the wheelchair and dig hard places while lying down. I cut napier grass, planted tea, cassava, avocados and maize,” he said.
Farming has helped him raise school fees for his 6 children, and meet his family’s needs. The beginning was harsh since he did not have a wheelchair that could move easily around the farm, managing by crawling on his feet. He was never deterred.
Lack of capital to further invest in his farming initiatives, he said, is one of the major challenges he faces.
His call to the government is to help farmers living with disabilities through individual empowerment.
According to him, group empowerment is unnecessary, adding that individual empowerment initiatives will help tap potential and recognize the works of each person living with disability.
“The government should realize that there are different people living with disabilities but they lack the support. If they are supported, they can make a big difference.”
Fellow farmers and friends, among them James Sang, acknowledge his fighting spirit. “I saw him and thought if he can manage, so can I,” he stated.
For Eunice Kibet, Charles’ prowess and dedication in farming has always amazed her.
“He is usually in the farm by 7am and sometimes when his wheelchair is stuck, he weeds while lying down,” shared Kibet.
His wife, Pamela Serem pointed out that her husband challenges her with his hard work and dedication.
“Living with a person with a disability is no different. I’ve learnt that they are normal people and can do what other people are doing,” she said.
Paul Sanga, Chief Officer, department of agriculture in the county government of Nandi emphasized that policies and inclusion of persons with disabilities will motivate them into farming.
He said they have specific programs targeting People Living with Disability (PWDs) like the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), which ensures inclusivity.
In Nandi County, he added, they have 5 main value chains; that is coffee, potatoes, dairy, poultry and avocado, adding that they support PWDs through the chains.
“We support them through these value chains according to the one they have chosen. We also consider those venturing in farming activities outside the value chains like bee keeping,” he stated.
In addition, he said, they are trying to introduce technologies that are favourable to persons with disabilities, like kitchen gardens.
The most important thing for the PWDs, he concluded, is coming up with modernized tools and equipment to simplify their farming activities and joining saccos in order to get funds to channel in their farming ventures.