{"id":242,"date":"2024-12-17T16:59:07","date_gmt":"2024-12-17T16:59:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/sophie-jarvis\/?p=242"},"modified":"2024-12-19T19:34:39","modified_gmt":"2024-12-19T19:34:39","slug":"student-creates-global-platform-after-funding-special-needs-education-for-girl-in-kenya","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/sophie-jarvis\/2024\/12\/17\/student-creates-global-platform-after-funding-special-needs-education-for-girl-in-kenya\/","title":{"rendered":"Student Creates Global Platform after Funding Special Needs Education for Girl in Kenya"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"908\" src=\"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/sophie-jarvis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24119\/2024\/12\/thumbnail_original-E683CE78-9D6B-41EC-98AB-004CBEC3A0D6-1024x908.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-243\" style=\"width:1100px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/sophie-jarvis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24119\/2024\/12\/thumbnail_original-E683CE78-9D6B-41EC-98AB-004CBEC3A0D6-1024x908.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/sophie-jarvis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24119\/2024\/12\/thumbnail_original-E683CE78-9D6B-41EC-98AB-004CBEC3A0D6-300x266.jpg 300w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/sophie-jarvis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24119\/2024\/12\/thumbnail_original-E683CE78-9D6B-41EC-98AB-004CBEC3A0D6-768x681.jpg 768w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/sophie-jarvis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24119\/2024\/12\/thumbnail_original-E683CE78-9D6B-41EC-98AB-004CBEC3A0D6.jpg 1179w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Keiti and Cynthia. Image Credits: Keiti Corcoran<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>A University of Stirling student has created a global platform after funding special needs education for a deaf 9-year-old girl in Kenya.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Keiti Corcoran, a 23 -year-old Criminology and Sociology student from Stirling, Scotland, has founded <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/keiticonnects\/\">KeitiConnects<\/a>, a platform committed to humanitarian work. The company highlights the importance of occupational therapy and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canva.com\/design\/DAGOgsHu7Wc\/Prf0uloD-S2EUcAzYq07HQ\/view?utm_content=DAGOgsHu7Wc&amp;utm_campaign=designshare&amp;utm_medium=link&amp;utm_source=editor\">raises awareness on the extreme poverty in Kenya<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:38% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"746\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/sophie-jarvis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24119\/2024\/12\/thumbnail_original-D4751284-A1BF-4B17-9918-22F941305DB2-746x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-244 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/sophie-jarvis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24119\/2024\/12\/thumbnail_original-D4751284-A1BF-4B17-9918-22F941305DB2-746x1024.jpg 746w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/sophie-jarvis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24119\/2024\/12\/thumbnail_original-D4751284-A1BF-4B17-9918-22F941305DB2-218x300.jpg 218w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/sophie-jarvis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24119\/2024\/12\/thumbnail_original-D4751284-A1BF-4B17-9918-22F941305DB2-768x1055.jpg 768w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/sophie-jarvis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24119\/2024\/12\/thumbnail_original-D4751284-A1BF-4B17-9918-22F941305DB2-1119x1536.jpg 1119w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/sophie-jarvis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24119\/2024\/12\/thumbnail_original-D4751284-A1BF-4B17-9918-22F941305DB2.jpg 1179w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 746px) 100vw, 746px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Keiti\u2019s first company trip will take place over Christmas and New Year, where she\u2019ll be travelling back to Kenya as part of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/actsofcompassionfoundation\/p\/DDrQyMetRW9\/\">3-week programme consisting of 8 humanitarian projects<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Keiti said: \u201cKeitiConnects is about empowering change and having a part in raising awareness of global issues, especially issues in Kenya. I\u2019m growing my own community and getting lots of contacts.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI want KeitiConnects to get bigger. With my company, I want to make people uncomfortable. I want people to spark uncomfortable conversations and get involved. It\u2019s hard realising that you can\u2019t help everybody, but you can help somebody. You\u2019re never going to change everything, but what can you change?\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-tiktok wp-block-embed-tiktok\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"tiktok-embed\" cite=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@keiticonnects\/video\/7413030951510347041\" data-video-id=\"7413030951510347041\" data-embed-from=\"oembed\" style=\"max-width:605px; min-width:325px;\"> <section> <a target=\"_blank\" title=\"@keiticonnects\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@keiticonnects?refer=embed\">@keiticonnects<\/a> <p><a title=\"metgala2024\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/metgala2024?refer=embed\">#metgala2024<\/a> <a title=\"kiberaslums\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/kiberaslums?refer=embed\">#kiberaslums<\/a> <\/p> <a target=\"_blank\" title=\"\u266c The hanging tree - Parker \ud83d\udc98\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/music\/The-hanging-tree-7266132079107328814?refer=embed\">\u266c The hanging tree &#8211; Parker \ud83d\udc98<\/a> <\/section> <\/blockquote> <script async src=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/embed.js\"><\/script>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">KeitiConnects raising awareness on the extreme poverty of the Kibera slums, the largest slum in Africa. Video Credits: Keiti Corcoran, KeitiConnects <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:38% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thecourieronline.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/thumbnail_original-0C4C4661-0CEF-4DDB-BFA6-54A0D104CF53-831x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-238896 size-full\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>In June, whilst volunteering with children with special needs in Nairobi with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.volunteerhq.org\/gb\/destinations\/kenya\/?currency=GBP&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiApY-7BhBjEiwAQMrrEdXeTIm8SY87yTdD0cAnDf24lyfeaHDorZb1G-Jp-IT6vu8edsiLuxoCVp4QAvD_BwE\">International Volunteer Headquarters (IVHQ)<\/a>, Keiti met Cynthia, a 9-year-old girl born deaf. It was Cynthia\u2019s first week of school.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Keiti said: \u201cIn the school I worked with, there are around 50 kids with special needs and 3 teachers. I was drawn to Cynthia. I wanted to play with her and ask her questions, but she couldn\u2019t respond.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cShe had no way to express how she felt. She couldn\u2019t communicate what she wanted or needed. She didn\u2019t even know her own name. If she attempted to signal to her parents to ask what her name was, they would hit her, as they believed that her disability was a sin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI sponsored her and moved her into a boarding school. In order to get her into the school, she needed a list of 46 basic items\u2013 we were able to get her a passport, a birth certificate, etcetera. She didn\u2019t even own a toothbrush. Cynthia had no identity on paper. Her dad had a smartphone. Her family didn\u2019t want her to go to school. That\u2019s when I knew I had to get involved.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-spotify wp-block-embed-spotify wp-embed-aspect-21-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: The Ugly Truth: Shedding Light on Kenya&amp;apos;s Extreme Poverty\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"152\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/episode\/6567Ud7xBPotk6PuZvEMQO?si=rWwYg95JQTe1KTSqumsQ5w&#038;nd=1&#038;dlsi=7c346f41c9b441fd&#038;utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Keiti&#8217;s Podcast shedding light on the extreme poverty in Kenya. Podcast Credits: Keiti Corcoran<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>At Cynthia\u2019s boarding school, which is run entirely by teachers who are also deaf, she receives 3 meals a day and a bed. She has also learnt Kenyan Sign Language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>KeitiConnects\u2019 programme will be in collaboration with <a href=\"https:\/\/aoc-foundation.org\/\">Acts of Compassion Foundation (AOC)<\/a>, a Nairobi-based charity.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Emily Anderson, Social Media Officer for AOC, said: \u201cKeiti and our team will be collaborating with schools, childrens centres, and residential homes throughout the Kibera community. Keiti is an inspiring force.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThrough these partnerships, we aim to create sustainable solutions that empower individuals and families throughout Kenya.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:auto 38%\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Since meeting, Keiti has raised \u00a3790 through a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gofundme.com\/f\/support-synthia?attribution_id=undefined&amp;utm_campaign=unknown&amp;utm_medium=customer&amp;utm_source=website_widget\">GoFundMe page to support Cynthia<\/a>, and will be taking over 400 donated gifts and toys to the children in Kenya during her programme.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thecourieronline.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/thumbnail_original-FD1D03E9-232F-4FB2-980F-BD7EF8EA8A76-1024x1014.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-238895 size-full\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Keiti said: \u201cMy experience and founding KeitiConnects has changed everything for me. It\u2019s shaped me as a person in terms of really understanding what other people go through.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cVolunteering in Kenya and working with Cynthia are not things that I\u2019ve done and learnt from. This is my life now.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMy advice to anyone is to get out of your comfort zone, and educate yourself. You don\u2019t have to like it, you just have to listen. I encourage people to volunteer, even if it\u2019s local. How can you be an addition to the place you\u2019re visiting?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you would like to learn more about Keiti and KeitiConnects&#8217; mission, you can visit her Instagram site: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/keiticonnects\/ \">https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/keiticonnects\/ <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"833\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/sophie-jarvis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24119\/2024\/12\/thumbnail_original-4F198021-907E-4DD5-8B76-7E3370256B17-833x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-252\" srcset=\"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/sophie-jarvis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24119\/2024\/12\/thumbnail_original-4F198021-907E-4DD5-8B76-7E3370256B17-833x1024.jpg 833w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/sophie-jarvis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24119\/2024\/12\/thumbnail_original-4F198021-907E-4DD5-8B76-7E3370256B17-244x300.jpg 244w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/sophie-jarvis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24119\/2024\/12\/thumbnail_original-4F198021-907E-4DD5-8B76-7E3370256B17-768x945.jpg 768w, https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/sophie-jarvis\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24119\/2024\/12\/thumbnail_original-4F198021-907E-4DD5-8B76-7E3370256B17.jpg 1179w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 833px) 100vw, 833px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Keiti volunteering in Kenya with IVHQ. Image Credits: Keiti Corcoran<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>Interested in more news like this? Let me know what you think in the comments below, or follow my Instagram @thewanderingreport. <\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A University of Stirling student has created a global platform after funding special needs education for a deaf 9-year-old girl in Kenya.&nbsp; Keiti Corcoran, a 23 -year-old Criminology and Sociology student from Stirling, Scotland, has founded KeitiConnects, a platform committed to humanitarian work. The company highlights the importance of occupational therapy and raises awareness on [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":271,"featured_media":243,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wds_primary_category":1,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[29,30,35,31,33,34,10,6,5,32],"class_list":["post-242","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-reports","tag-charity","tag-humanitarian","tag-ivhq","tag-kenya","tag-news","tag-report","tag-student","tag-tourism","tag-travel","tag-volunteering"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/sophie-jarvis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/242","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/sophie-jarvis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/sophie-jarvis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/sophie-jarvis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/271"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/sophie-jarvis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=242"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/sophie-jarvis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/242\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/sophie-jarvis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/243"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/sophie-jarvis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=242"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/sophie-jarvis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=242"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/sophie-jarvis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=242"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}