Sunrise School Founders Seek Support for Kenya Autism Program

Sunrise School founders seek infrastructure support in Springfield

Habel Ouma and Eunice Rapando, the co-founders of the Sunrise School for autistic learners in Kenya, recently met with the Springfield Rotary Club to outline a mission centered on expanding educational access for neurodivergent children.

The school was established specifically to address a gap in the Kenyan educational landscape, where specialized resources for autism are frequently limited. According to Ouma, the institution’s primary objectives include providing hope and educational opportunities to autistic children, making educational inclusion a reality for more learners, and reducing the daily challenges faced by caregivers and families.

While the mission is rooted in educational equity, the physical realities of the school present significant hurdles. Rapando detailed several operational struggles during the presentation, noting that the facility currently deals with limited administrative and classroom space. Perhaps most critically, the school relies on a spring-fed water system that runs dry for two months of the year, creating a recurring crisis for the students and staff.

The $200,000 Memorial Project aims to secure water and space

To combat these infrastructure deficits, Wanda Salter, a speech pathologist who has volunteered at the Sunrise School, introduced the Sunrise School Memorial Project. This fundraising initiative seeks to raise $200,000 to upgrade the school’s facilities and establish a more reliable, year-round water supply. The project’s scope includes improvements to the school’s physical footprint and the stabilization of its most basic utility needs.

Sunrise School Founders Seek Support for Kenya Autism Program

The effort highlights a growing trend of international community partnerships where localized civic groups, such as the Springfield Rotary Club, provide a platform for global educational initiatives. The presentation was supported by Rotary Past District Governor Bill Stevens of Bellows Falls, underscoring the collaborative nature of the outreach.

For those looking to contribute to the specific goals of the school, donations are being directed toward the “Playground/Admin Project.” Contributions can be made through the school’s official website at www.thesunriseschool.org.

The Springfield Rotary Club continues to hold its regular meetings on Tuesdays at 12 p.m. at the SAPCC Workforce Development & Training Center. Information regarding club membership and upcoming meetings is available at www.springfieldvtrotary.org.