188:"Kupenda ("love" in Kiswahili) for the Children is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has developed disability advocacy and training programs geared towards transforming negative beliefs surrounding disability to those that improve children's lives. Kupenda's vision is for a fully integrated society where people of all abilities have access to health, education, and a loving community. Kupenda focus on changing the views of community members and leaders who in many areas of the world, view people impacted by disability as cursed, leading to their neglect, abandonment, abuse, rape, and murder. Kupenda's primary focus is on children with disabilities who are often marginalized and excluded groups in society according to the World Health Organization.
440:
curses. She also learned that she may have even been killed if she had been born there. When
Leonard introduced Cynthia to children with disabilities who did not have access to medical care or education, this inspired her to respond. In addition to providing educational assistance and medical interventions, Cynthia and Leonard worked with families and communities to change superstitions connected to disability. As a result of these efforts and needs, Kupenda for the Children was registered as an official nonprofit in 2003 with the vision of a fully-integrated society where people of all abilities have access to health, education, and a loving community.
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curses. She also learned that she may have even been killed if she had been born there. When
Leonard introduced Cynthia to children with disabilities who did not have access to medical care or education, this inspired her to respond. In addition to providing educational assistance and medical interventions, Cynthia and Leonard worked with families and communities to change superstitions connected to disability. As a result of these efforts and needs, Kupenda for the Children was registered as an official nonprofit in 2003 with the vision of a fully-integrated society where people of all abilities have access to health, education, and a loving community.
431:(talipes); dissociative identity disorder (DID); Down syndrome; dwarfism; dyslexia; epilepsy; fetal alcohol syndrome disorders (FASD); generalized anxiety disorder; hearing impairment; hydrocephalus; limb deformity, loss, or reduction; major depression; microcephaly; muscular dystrophy; obsessive-compulsive disorder; post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); reactive attachment disorder (RAD); schizophrenia; spina bifida (SB); spinal cord injury; spine curvature disorders; Tourette syndrome; and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
430:
Some examples of their beneficiaries’ disabilities include albinism; attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); autism spectrum disorder (ASD); bipolar disorder; blindness and visual impairment; brittle bone disease (osteogenesis imperfecta); cerebral palsy (CP); cleft palate or lip; club foot
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since 1999. This county is also where they use human-centered design strategies to develop and test their disability training content for pastors, traditional healers, as well as other government and other community leaders. Kupenda's disability advocacy approaches and materials are also being led,
179:
In 1999, Leonard
Mbonani, a Kenyan special needs teacher, met Cynthia Bauer, an American graduate student, while she was conducting wildlife research on the coast of Kenya. Cynthia was born without her left hand and discovered that many people in Kenya believed disabilities like hers were caused by
439:
Leonard
Mbonani, a Kenyan special needs teacher, met Cynthia Bauer, an American graduate student, while she was conducting wildlife research on the coast of Kenya in 1999. Cynthia was born without her left hand and discovered that many people in Kenya believed disabilities like hers were caused by
249:
Kupenda for the
Children is registered in the U.S., and its partner organization, Kuhenza for the Children, is registered in Kenya. Both organizations report to their respective national governments, manage their own operational funds, and are overseen by their own Boards of Directors. Each year,
492:– The success of Kupenda's Pastor Disability Training Program inspires the staff to develop similar trainings for traditional healers, government officials, Muslim leaders, teachers, parents, and NGOs (including disability persons organizations), including partnerships with organizations such as
562:
Kupenda is a niche organization focused on improving justice, care, and inclusion for families impacted by disability. Each year, Kupenda's work improves quality of life for more than 70,000 children with disabilities in low- and middle-income countries. Based on the organization's 23 years of
563:
disability program design and implementation experience, Kupenda in collaboration along with
Kuhenza, has provided technical services and training models directly to individuals and through training programs to other disability organizations, to include:
502:– Rising national and global interest in Kupenda's disability advocacy model inspires partners in 17 countries to begin using these approaches and tools to train families and local leaders as disability advocates in their own communities.
388:: Kulea Childcare Villages, LOCIP, EMFRED, TRACED, Autism Beyond Borders, Longido, Mennonite Central Committee, St. Philips Theological College, Support Bridge for Students with Disabilities (SBSD), Data for Local Innovation
216:
Kupenda forges ongoing partnerships to provide technical assistance to government partners and other organizations to implement best practices for disability inclusion and then partners with these entities for broader
428:“those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments, which in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.”
228:- Educating families and communities about the rights of children with disabilities and how to support them by advocating for their medical care, education, legal rights, and inclusion in all aspects of society
204:
Kupenda creates training and outreach care programs to address harmful beliefs and practices perpetrated at the community level by families, leaders, and residents and train them as disability advocates.
394:: Massachusetts Disabled Persons Protection Committee (DPPC), Travel and Give, University of Louisiana Lafayette, University of Virginia, Eastview Christian Church, Collaborative on Faith and Disability
210:
Kupenda focuses is efforts to influence the economic and policy environment by equipping people impacted by disability and influential leaders to create systemic changes that support disability justice.
512:(DFID), Kupenda conducted an 18-month, mix-method program evaluation that showed how UN Disability Training Program for Community Leaders were effective in reversing negative beliefs about disability.
27:
470:– A significant growth period allows Cindy and Leonard to formalize Kupenda's programs and hire a full-time staff. On May 6, Cindy receives a gold award in the volunteer category from the
426:
Kupenda works with children and youth between the ages of 0 and 25 who are living with a long-term disability. They use the United Nation's definition of disability, which includes
989:
600:
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Kuhenza and
Kupenda collaboratively fundraise to support their joint projects. The organizations have been co-designing and co-implementing disability programs since 2003.
191:
Kupenda's multilevel strategy is consistent with the social ecological model for social and behavioral changes that improve the lives of people living with disabilities:
750:
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Kupenda supports individuals impacted by disabilities and their families with community-based rehabilitation and equips them to advocate for their rights.
537:
486:– A teacher's death due to false information from her church inspires Kupenda and Kuhenza to develop a disability advocacy training program for pastors.
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234:- Supporting children with disabilities to access appropriate, high-quality education while supporting the staff and infrastructure of their schools
480:– To improve locally led, long-term solutions, Cindy and Leonard found Kuhenza for the Children and register this affiliate organization in Kenya.
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Disability and Social
Justice in Kenya: Scholars, Policymakers, and Activists in Conversation by Nina Berman and Rebecca Monteleone
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452:– Cindy meets Leonard, a Kenyan special need teacher, who introduces her to children with disabilities on the coast of Kenya.
337:(CRS), Hope Walks, Sasa Harambe, KESHO, Bethany Children's Trust, Compassion international, Bethany Kids, CURE International,
446:– Cindy Bauer first travels to Kenya as a biologist and learns about the challenges Kenyan children with disabilities face.
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that is awarded Best Long
Documentary at the InclĂşs, Barcelona International Disability Film Festival, and screened at
631:"Challenging Social Norms on Disability: Making Sexual and Reproductive Health Accessible to People with Disabilities"
240:- Connecting children with disabilities to appropriate medical services, including surgeries, medications, and therapy
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458:– Cindy and Leonard collaborate on small-scale projects to raise funds and awareness for the children.
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Training and counseling for individuals with disabilities, their families, and community leaders
376:: International Theological Education Network (ITEN), EduNations, World Hope International (WHI)
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262:, where they have worked alongside Kuhenza for the Children to help thousands of children with
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adapted, and replicated by other organizations and government entities around the world.
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909:"Action Against Hunger USA to Lead USAID-Funded Global PROPEL Adapt Project"
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The organization's strategy is directed towards three major program areas:
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400:: Kyaninga Child Development Centre, Ekisa Ministries, Cure International
887:"Kupenda Joins the International Disability and Development Consortium"
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865:"International Disability and Development Consortium > Our Members"
747:"Cynthia Bauer, Founder of Kupenda, recieves [sic] Gold Award"
702:. Council on Foreign Relations: Think Global Health. 15 September 2022
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Consultation on disability inclusion programming and best practices
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416:: Disability and Agriculture Resource Center, CURE International
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Ministry of
Community Development and Social Services of Zambia
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700:"The Power of Health Information for People with Disabilities"
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406:: CURE International, Special Hope Network, CRS, Lilato,
800:. UNESCO Knowledge Hub on Sustainable Development Goal 4
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Medical and health organizations based in New Hampshire
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Disability grant/proposal research and writing support
867:. International Disability and Development Consortium
795:"United Nations Transformating Education Summit 2022"
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Disability program monitoring and evaluation support
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International Disability and Development Consortium
573:Community or program disability needs assessments
167:that works to improve the lives of children with
141:Leonard Mbonani Bikanga, Kenya Executive Director
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570:Adaptation and testing of materials and services
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346:: World Relief, Cure International, Hope Walks
258:Kupenda's Innovation and Testing Center is in
773:"Partner Highlight: Kupenda for the Children"
722:"Guidestar Profile: Kupenda for the children"
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680:. Boston University:School of Public Health
678:"Disability Care during COVID-19 in Kenya"
508:– Under a grant from the United Kingdom's
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55:Cynthia Bauer and Leonard Mbonani Bikanga
510:Department for International Development
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775:. Cross International. 18 November 2022
474:for founding Kupenda for the Children.
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995:Health charities in the United States
843:"Kupenda's Award-winning Documentary"
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171:in low- and middle-income countries.
1005:Foreign charities operating in Kenya
939:. University of Michigan Press, 2022
607:. Seacoastonline.com. Archived from
264:disabilities access care and support
554:USA as a project resource partner.
536:– Kupenda becomes a member of the
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528:Beloit International Film Festival
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985:Charities based in New Hampshire
599:Rachel Knight (April 24, 2007).
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358:: CURE International, Hope Walks
16:American non-profit organization
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819:@inclusfestival (Dec 1, 2021).
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753:from the original on 2008-03-03
636:. USAID.gov / Knowledge SUCCESS
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518:– Releases a documentary film
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1000:Charities for disabled people
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656:"Kupenda Technical Services"
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827:) (in Catalan) – via
601:"Warriors for the children"
39:; 21 years ago
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845:. Kupenda. 8 December 2021
370:: World Relief, Hope Walks
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306:World Relief, Hope Walks
158:Kupenda for the Children
20:Kupenda for the children
821:"9th edition of InclĂşs"
472:Federal Executive Board
165:non-profit organization
889:. Kupenda. 19 May 2022
327:Pazapa, Help for Haiti
196:Individual and family:
913:Action Against Hunger
552:Action Against Hunger
184:Strategy and programs
139:Cynthia Bauer, US CEO
970:https://kuhenza.org/
364:: CURE International
260:Kilifi County, Kenya
245:Partner organization
238:Medical Care Program
494:Cross International
315:, WEEMA, Hope Walks
276:Light for the World
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605:The Winnachronicle
558:Technical Services
313:CURE International
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915:. 12 October 2022
232:Education Program
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849:February 6,
804:February 9,
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757:February 6,
749:. Kupenda.
731:February 6,
706:February 9,
684:February 9,
662:February 9,
640:February 9,
615:February 6,
362:Philippines
150:kupenda.org
979:Categories
587:References
546:– Joins a
435:Activities
350:Mozambique
321:Hope Walks
300:Hope Walks
284:Hope Walks
217:influence.
202:Community:
135:Key people
77:16-1644867
72:Tax ID no.
726:Guidestar
658:. Kupenda
506:2017–2018
456:2000-2002
333:Kuhenza,
254:Geography
162:501(c)(3)
129:Worldwide
751:Archived
414:Zimbabwe
386:Tanzania
310:Ethiopia
92:Location
829:Twitter
520:Kupenda
289:Burundi
273:Austria
214:Global:
175:History
146:Website
116:Origins
99:Hampton
52:Founder
42: (
34:Founded
404:Zambia
398:Uganda
368:Rwanda
344:Malawi
825:Tweet
798:(PDF)
634:(PDF)
548:USAID
380:Sudan
356:Niger
331:Kenya
325:Haiti
319:Ghana
281:Benin
119:Kenya
82:Focus
945:2023
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544:2022
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526:and
516:2021
490:2013
484:2009
478:2008
468:2006
462:2003
450:1999
444:1998
107:U.S.
60:Type
44:2003
37:2003
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