Imagine being a child born with autism in Kenya, where resources are scarce and support is virtually non-existent. Sadly, this is the reality for many children in the Mount Kenya region. With limited access to services and a lack of accurate diagnosis, these children and their families face immense challenges every day.

But amidst these struggles, there’s a ray of hope: the new Kirinyaga Autism Society. This organisation will be a lifeline for autistic children and their families. It’s a beacon of local, affordable, and accessible support, aiming to fill the void in services and provide much-needed assistance.

When fully up and running, the centre will offer a range of affordable therapies, crucial training for families and caregivers, and, in time, improved diagnostic capabilities. It will also mentor newly trained speech and language therapists to help increase the availability of this therapy in Kirinyaga county (at the moment there are no trained speech and language therapists in the county).

It’s a game-changer for the region, bringing essential services closer to home and offering a path to a brighter future for these children.