Sr. Judith Felicity Khabwengesi has worked tirelessly for over two decades to mold her students at St. Lucy School for the Blind in Meru County, Kenya, into reputable future leaders. She recognizes the privilege she has in serving these capable youth, given that less than 10% of all children with disabilities under the age of 14 attend school in Africa (World Report on Disability).

Sr. Judy, as we fondly call her, is a devout Catholic Nun. She is a member of the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph (FSJ) order, which is dedicated to caring for the sick, orphans, and mentally and physically challenged people. She has spent the last 23 years working as a special needs educator. Sr. Judith is now the Principal of St. Lucy School for the Blind in Meru County, where she is responsible for every teacher and student. She is also a Swahili and Christian Religious Education teacher (CRE).

Her loving and nurturing nature, on the other hand, has inspired countless learners with disabilities to become independent and promising members of society. “I have watched these kids grow into important members of society as adults. They are excelling in various industries, and some are returning to pay it forward every day as teachers,” she says.

Sr. Judith always sees great potential in a student; however, laxity and self-pity can get in the way of a student’s success. She immediately commits to mentoring, tough love, and daily pushing them until they realize their full potential. Some of these students have been molded by Sr. Judy into trailblazers and role models, including:

• Wilson Macharia, the first candidate at St. Lucy Secondary for the Blind and an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya. He is currently pursuing his Masters in Law at the University of Pretoria.
• David Mutugi, a first-year student at Kenyatta University studying Special Needs Education.
• Dennis Kaisa, a Guiding and Counseling Masters student at the University of Nairobi 
• Joseph Kikunda, a Teacher and Mentor at St. Lucy School for The Blind 
• Roselyn Atieno, a Kindergarten teacher at St. Lucy School for The Blind

Under her leadership, St. Lucy School for the Blind has made significant progress in the last 16 years thanks to partnerships with government agencies, organizations, and philanthropists. Some of the progress include:

• The new tuition block that hosts all the classes, including the inABLE Computer Lab for The Blind
• New dormitories for girls and boys including bunk beds and beddings 
• New accessible ultra-modern toilet
• Multi-agricultural project hosting a number of livestock and crop production
• Water borehole
• Internet connectivity and technology

In Sr. Judy inABLE has found a friend, mentor, partner and a benevolent leader. It’s refreshing to collaborate with Sr. Judy who is as passionate about empowering students with disabilities as we are.

“I believe every child has a right to education—especially those with a disability—who I see overcoming their disabilities and making a difference in our society thanks to education!” Sr. Judith Felicity Khabwengesi

Written by: inABLE Public Relations Officer Esther Mwangi