In the arid landscapes of Mandera County, Kenya, a powerful movement is breaking down barriers and shattering stigmas surrounding disabilities. The #DontHideMe campaign, a beacon of hope for children and persons with special needs, recently wrapped its fourth mission from December 9-13, 2025, at the Mandera Special School for the Blind. At the heart of this transformative initiative stands Education for Africa (EFA), a Nairobi-based non-profit whose commitment to empowering marginalized communities—including people living with disabilities—aligns perfectly with the campaign’s ethos of visibility, support, and inclusion.
EFA’s involvement isn’t just supportive; it’s leadership-driven. Prof. Mohamed Abdinoor Dahir, EFA’s Executive Director, serves as the National Chairman of the #DontHideMe Initiative, steering efforts to address the hidden challenges faced by persons with disabilities (PWDs) in northern Kenya. As highlighted in EFA’s own social media announcements, the organization proudly associates with #DontHideMeMandera2025, amplifying its mission to foster equitable access to education and livelihoods for the underprivileged. This partnership echoes EFA’s theory of change: empowering marginalized groups, including those with disabilities, to understand and fulfill their civic roles, ultimately building a well-informed society that promotes good governance and prosperity.
The campaign’s recent outing in Mandera was a resounding success, drawing overwhelming community response despite the region’s sparse population and ongoing drought. Over 755 individuals were assessed, with services including medical evaluations, birth certificate registrations, disability certifications from the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), and enrollment in the Social Health Authority (SHA). Assistive devices like wheelchairs were distributed to 67 people, mostly children, addressing prevalent conditions such as cerebral palsy, malnutrition, vision/hearing impairments, and congenital anomalies like phocomelia. Emotional testimonies from caregivers painted a vivid picture of the daily struggles—sleepless nights, financial drain, and societal stigma—while underscoring the campaign’s impact in making these voices heard.
EFA’s role extends beyond endorsement. Through Prof. Dahir’s chairmanship, the initiative collaborates with key partners like the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE), which provided audiology equipment and educational assessments, and the Mandera County Government, which committed to training ECD teachers and allocating resources for PWD housing. Other supporters, including the Kenya Red Cross (providing food rations and dignity kits), Direct Aid, and the Ali Roba Foundation, bolstered the effort, ensuring holistic support from counseling to home-based therapy training. This multi-stakeholder approach mirrors EFA’s broader work in thematic areas like Education and Capacity Building, Youth Empowerment, Democratic Governance, Human Rights, Climate Change & Sustainable Livelihoods, Peacebuilding, and Advocacy & Research.
At its core, #DontHideMe challenges the cultural norms that lead families to “hide” children with disabilities, viewing them as curses rather than blessings. As one parent shared in the campaign’s documentary video, the journey is “tiresome and frustrating,” but initiatives like this offer empowerment and hope. EFA’s vision—”Transforming Africa’s Destiny: Empowering Lives, Inspiring Change, Nurturing Future Generations”—comes alive here, as the organization leverages its expertise to promote self-reliance and active citizenship among the most vulnerable.
The Mandera mission wasn’t without hurdles—logistical challenges like long travel distances and the need for permanent therapy centers were noted—but the turnout of 800-1,000 clients traveling up to 500 km speaks volumes about the demand. Moving forward, EFA and its partners aim to sustain these efforts, with calls for ongoing awareness campaigns, professional training in special needs education, and infrastructure like sign language interpreters in hospitals.
As Prof. Dahir and EFA continue to champion human rights and inclusion, #DontHideMe serves as a powerful reminder: No one should be left in the shadows. By bringing light to disabilities in Mandera, EFA is not just supporting a campaign—it’s nurturing a more equitable Africa, one empowered individual at a time. Join the movement: Follow EFA on social media and support initiatives that make every voice count.
