Nancy has dedicated her life to the early detection and management of deafness.
Growing up as a sickly child, she experienced the stigma of being labelled fragile. This early encounter ignited a lifelong passion for social justice.
Nancy’s professional path led her to various roles, including business development in the corporate world and economic empowerment training at TechnoServe. However, it was her stint in Indonesia that shaped her career path. Working as a business advisor for a disability-focused organisation, Nancy witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by people with disabilities. This experience in a foreign land, coupled with the discrimination she faced, fueled her determination to make a difference.
“While there, I worked as an advisor, leading a team and learning to work with people with disabilities, something I never imagined doing considering I pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work,” she says.
"I was also inspired by a classmate who introduced me to sign language. I then realised there was a gap in early detection and language development for deaf children."
Upon returning to Kenya, Nancy’s exposure to the needs of differently-abled individuals guided her towards the creation of Lugha Ishara.
“I was also inspired by a classmate who introduced me to sign language. I then realised there was a gap in early detection and language development for deaf children,” she says.
Her research revealed that the lack of hearing screening tests in hospitals led to late detection of hearing loss and subsequent developmental delays in children.
Lugha Ishara, founded in 2018, addresses this gap by promoting early detection of newborn hearing loss and supporting language development. ” I am currently partnering with Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital, to help bridge the gap between parents, children, and the medical system. They combine medical and social models of disability to provide comprehensive support, ensuring children with hearing loss receive timely intervention and develop on par with their hearing peers,” she says.
Under Nancy’s leadership, Lugha Ishara has assisted over 500 families, and improved lives. Nancy’s highlight remains the joy and sense of purpose she derives from working with children, whose hugs and smiles reaffirm her commitment.
Nancy envisions expanding Lugha Ishara’s reach across East Africa, aiming to test 5,000 children over the next seven years. She also plans to establish a specialised language development centre to support children aged three to five years. On a personal level, Nancy is embarking on a PhD to address the lack of contextual data on disability in Africa, further solidifying her commitment to social justice and inclusivity.
– By Thorn Mulli
