On 3rd December 2024, the world commemorated the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD).

Did you know that an estimated 1.3 billion people experience significant disability? This represents 16% of the world’s population, or 1 in 6 of us.

The IDPD is celebrated every year on 3 December, and the day is meant to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities at every level of society and development, and to raise awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of political, social, economic, and cultural life.

Here on TV47, we decided to celebrate Samson Atodonyang, a renowned man living with disability in Senetwo location, Chepareria ward, West Pokot County. Despite his predicament, Atodonyang has turned out to be a farmer extraordinaire.

Our reporter Andrew Juma sat with Atodonyang and his family…

How did he become disabled? At a the age of seven, Atodonyang was infected with Poliomyelitis (polio), a disabling viral disease that affected his limbs. He uses his arms to aid his mobility. That has, however, not stopped him from efficiently providing for his family.

The 49-year-old man is not only a role model to many who feel challenged by the fact that he is abled differently, but also a father who has been able to provide for his family.

Being a climate action advocate, his passion, resilience and love for conserving the environment is unmatched.

Senetwo location is one of the areas in West Pokot County that is prone to drought due to the impacts of climate change. The semi-arid county whose inhabitants are majorly agro-pastoralists, receives between 550mm to 850mm of annual rainfall coupled up with irregular rainfall patterns.

This is very little rainfall, barely enough to sustain crop production that meets the area’s agricultural demands. As a result, it has gravely affected the livelihoods of these communities, and a much worse situation for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

“It is challenging to be a person with disability especially during the dry season because you constantly have to rely on other people to help you when searching for water or pasture for your animals which becomes costly. This is something that you could have otherwise done on your own if not for the disability,” Atodonyang told TV47 Digital.

­­­Atodonyang is, however, in a better position to cope with such environmental challenges. In May 2022, he was among 209 other smallholder farmers and pastoralists in Chepareria who were trained on the Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) approach through World Vision’s Central Rift Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration Scale-Up Project (CRIFSUP). The approach will enable these communities to rehabilitate degraded land and improve their livelihoods.

An empowered Atodonyang

After the training on FMNR, Atodonyang immediately enclosed three more acres of his farmland to encourage natural regeneration of indigenous species. He was upbeat about implementing the approach as he was already familiar with some aspects of FMNR.

Through income gained from selling their farm produce, Atodonyang and his wife Pauline have been able to effortlessly support and educate their seven children, three of whom are in college. They have embraced working together to attain the maximum benefits from FMNR to sustain their livelihoods.

Speaking to TV47 during a site visit in Senetwo, Titus Kimono, a project officer at World Vision said Atodonyang has attracted other farmers in joining him which translates to a true definition of resilience.

“As World Vision we are happy for him even as the world marks international day of the people with disabilities, his efforts has not only attracted people from his village and around him, but also people from far.” said Kimono.

Pauline says that as parents, they now get spare time to spend with their children that nurtures their bond. Additionally, they use indigenous tree extracts as herbal medicine to cure the children from coughs, flu and stomach aches.

“Growing up, there were lots of trees, wild food and fruits in abundance. There was enough for us and our livestock to eat. If only we can restore that…our lives would change,” Atodonyang hopes.

He adds: “I encourage people with disability [who have land, however small] to adopt FMNR because it offers a sustainable solution and will cater for most of their needs. They should not dwell on their disability but rather focus on their goal. I appreciate the follow-up visits conducted by World Vision staff. Their encouragement and guidance gives us hope and the morale to keep striving for the best.”

Atodonyang looks forward to harvesting his regenerated Terminalia brownii trees, locally known as Koloswo, upon maturity and selling them as timber.

“Atodonyang is one among many others who are experiencing the social, economic and environmental benefits of implementing FMNR, which has contributed to the holistic well-being of their families and children,” says Festus Chirchir, World Vision’s CRIFSUP Project Manager in Kenya.

World Vision’s CRIFSUP project, which is in its second phase of implementation, seeks to ensure that it takes into consideration the participation of women, men, boys, girls and PWDs. As such, the project has identified and selected 1,203 project participants (smallholder farmers and pastoralists) across Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nakuru and West Pokot Counties. Of this number, 5.2% accounts for PWDs. The project is also encouraging joint participation of men and women in FMNR activities and decision-making at the household level to enable women’s voices count on matters pertaining income generation, family welfare and utilisation of household resources.