Caring for people with disabilities: the christian community in Nairobi

Abstract

This study is an investigation into the Christian Community in Nairobi's caring for people with disabilities (PWDs). "Caring for" conceived of as attitudes and motives of compassion and mercy. The study sought to reconcile the teachings of the Church against prevailing practices with regard to the treatment and integration of PWDs within Nairobi Christian community and in its activities as part and parcel of the Christian Church. The objectives of the study were as follows; firstly, to investigate into how the Christian community in Nairobi treats PWDs in church and neighbourhoods. Secondly, to examine how PWDs react to the Christian community and the church. Thirdly, the study sought to find out how parents or guardians of disabled children view the care of the Christian community in Nairobi to them and their disabled children. Both primary and secondary methods of data collection informed this study. Qualitative analysis was used to arrive at the findings. Primary research involved the administration of four sets of questionnaires to respondents- pastors, ordinary Christians, parents or guardians of disabled children and PWDs. This study followed the Biblical conceptual framework, based on the unique examples of King David and Jesus Christ. The findings are that the church as a Christian community in Nairobi is not appropriately caring (are not integrating PWDs in the Christian activities of their Churches and neighbourhood) as they should. PWDs develop beliefs and attitudes that the church does not care or welcome them to be part of 'God's family' (The Christian Community) The findings of this study call for a more elaborate and detailed study on the plight of PWDs and how the Christian community can better care and involve them in their activities. The need for research into the laws governing construction design in respect to disability requires further research .