Philip Karani, a low vision graduate from the Likoni School for the Blind in Mombasa, made national headlines when he ranked among the top 10 students in Kenya, under the special needs category. He scored an impressive 397 out of a possible 500 marks in the national Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams.

Philip attributed his top ranking to hard work, discipline, and access to online educational materials at the inABLE’s Computer-for-the-Blind program. When the pandemic happened in 2020, he, like his peers, was forced to go back home when the schools were closed. Thanks to the Homeschooling Project, a partnership between inABLE and FCDO, he was among the lucky students who received a laptop fully installed with educational materials allowing them to continue learning. By participating in this project, Philip could sharpen his skills further in readiness for the final exam.

“With the help of computers in school, I could use the internet to research topics and subjects that I did not understand,” explains Philip. “I thank inABLE for equipping me with computer skills. In the future, I would like to be an accountant, and with the help of a screen reader, I will be able to interact with the clients.”

Philip was in good company among other top performers from the other inABLE Computer-Labs-for-the-Blind program, including:

• Hilda Muthoni- Low vision – 355 Marks: Thika Primary School for the Blind (Kiambu County)
• Brian Mugambi – Low vision – 330 Marks: St. Lucy Primary School for the Blind (Meru County)
• Ian Wafula – Blind – 327 Marks: St. Oda School for the Blind (Siaya County)