October News Wrap: entrepreneurs with disabilities lead change in Kenya

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News Wrap

October 2025 News Wrap — our work, successes and impact.

Inclusive Futures programme, InBusiness, has come to an end, having supported more than 1,700 micro-entrepreneurs with disabilities and caregivers in five Kenyan counties.

Through business training, mentorship and market access, participants built sustainable livelihoods and strengthened local economies in Meru, Laikipia, Migori, Homabay and Kakamega County.

From record keeping and compliance to peer mentorship and inclusive procurement, the initiative has boosted local businesses while advocating for the economic inclusion of people with disabilities.

“Inclusion is not a matter of charity but a question of justice. We shall continue creating policies and programmes that reflect the real needs and aspirations of our people,” said H.E Joshua Irungu, EGH, Laikipia County Governor.

A woman stands at a podium, holding a microphone. She is wearing a black dress and has pink and blonde curls tied back in a pony tail. She has a big smile on her face. Three audience members side in front and there is an "InBusiness Program" sign to her left. It seems like a conference room setting. — Implemented by the Inclusive Futures consortium, led by Light for the World Kenya in partnership with Sightsavers, Humanity & Inclusion, Sense International Kenya and United Disabled Persons of Kenya, the TO50 Programme continues to create sustainable change across eight counties in Kenya. © Dennis Hombe / Light for the World.

Challenging gender and disability stereotypes through play

Light for the World and RED NOSES International joined forces to promote gender equity and disability inclusion in Sofala Province, Mozambique.

The collaboration brought together humour and artistic expression as creative tools to challenge stereotypes about gender and disability, promote psychosocial wellbeing and create safe and inclusive environments for women and girls, especially those with disabilities.

Under the InPower programme, led by Light for the World, as part of International Partnerships Austria, hundreds of children and adults took part in workshops and parades in schools, hospitals and community settings.

Activities were co-created and implemented with Mozambican partners – including ADEMO, AMAVIDA, KUPEDZANA NHAMATANDA, OREBACOM, SDSMAS DONDO, ESMABAMA, ADPP and CERPIJ – ensuring local ownership, cultural relevance and sustainability.

Circus workshops, play, music and interactive sessions encourage stronger emotional resilience and help partners, children and community members engage with sensitive topics in creative ways.

Two women stand with their backs to the camera, wearing a "Red Noses Emergency Smile" blue t-shirt. One is holding a ukulele. A crowd of children and adults are watching, blurred in the background. Some children are standing and taking part in a game. The setting looks like a school hall or classroom. — Children and adults participate in a workshop. © Craig Russell.

Celebrating World Sight Day

Medical professionals, school children, local leaders and partners joined World Sight Day celebrations in Masindi, Uganda.

From awareness raising campaigns — including a vibrant community march through Masindi town — and educational talks, to free eye screenings, everyone was united by the common goal to make eye care accessible to all.

During the celebrations, Denish Lubangakene, Light for the World Uganda Head of Programmes, emphasised the urgent need to invest in eye health.

Light for the World Uganda also donated essential eye care drugs to Masindi District and reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening eye health systems through early detection, timely referrals and continuous awareness.

On World Sight Day we also spotlighted four pioneering paediatric ophthalmologists in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Mozambique and Uganda who are leading the drive to save children’s eyesight in their countries. Read more about their work here.

A group of people are walking a parade, Two women in green medical uniforms stand at the front holding a sign that reads "World Sight Day. Love Your Eyes." There are lots of logos including Light for the World. A few more medical staff stand behind in white uniforms. Behind are at least 50 children in blue school uniforms, but the parade ends off of the picture. It is sunny, there is greenery around and rusty orange buildings in the background. — Medical staff, children and adults take part in a parade to encourage everyone to Love Your Eyes. © Charity Kiwumulo / Light for the World.

Inclusion boosts food security in South Sudan

The We Are Able! programme has concluded having supported advocacy efforts of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and influenced policies, particularly in food security, in Burundi, DR Congo, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda.

Through training, advocacy and targeted support, the initiative has strengthened inclusive governance, improved access to essential services and supported communities to influence the policies that shape their food security. The programme has also trained 25 micro-entrepreneurs with disabilities.

“Our work proves that when people with disabilities are in the lead, policies are fairer, communities are stronger and no one is left behind in the fight against hunger,” says Sophia Mohammed, Country Director for Light for the World in South Sudan.

The programme was run by ZOA Dorcas in consortia with Light for the World, The Hague Academy for Local Governance, South Sudan Union of Persons with Disabilities (SSUPD), VNG International and Africa Disability Forum. We Are Able was funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.