Our Story

Six Decades of Healing,
Hope and Human Dignity

From a humble home for 35 children to a nationally recognised referral centre, Nyabondo has remained steadfast in its mission to restore independence and transform lives.

1963 Year Founded
60+ Years of Service
50K+ Lives Touched
Our Legacy

The Story of Nyabondo Centre

Nyabondo Centre for Persons with Disabilities was founded in 1963 by Rev. Father John Kutner, a Mill Hill Priest from the Netherlands who, during his pastoral work, encountered children with disabilities crawling and living without hope. Moved by compassion, he began a mission that would transform countless lives.

We consecrate the work we do to persons with disabilities to God the Almighty, for whose providence we serve the less fortunate.
— Franciscan Sisters of Saint Anna, Nyabondo Centre
Early days of Nyabondo Centre — historical view
Founded by Mill Hill Missionaries
Full Story

Our Mission

Provision of Quality Rehabilitation and Medical Services through Corrective Surgery, Therapy and Assistive Devices to Persons with Disabilities in a Safe and Secure Environment.

Our Vision

To be a referral Centre of excellence in provision of integral, comprehensive rehabilitation services that are affordable to persons with disabilities in Kenya.

Our Motto

"Rising above Disability"

Governance

Administration & Board

Nyabondo Centre is administered under the congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Saint Anna (FSSA), who have faithfully carried forward the vision since 1989.

Rev. Sr. Ludovena Anyango Onyino

Centre Administrator

Sr. Ludovena leads the daily operations and strategic direction of Nyabondo, ensuring that compassionate, quality rehabilitative services reach those who need them most.

Board of Management

The Centre is governed by a 9-member Board appointed by the Archdiocese of Kisumu (ADOK), providing oversight and strategic guidance.

Nyabondo Centre administration and staff
Meet Our Team
Nyabondo team at work during a community outreach
Strategic Focus

Our Objectives

  • Conduct early identifications and early interventions, sensitization to the community on disability inclusion and access to rehabilitation services.
  • Create awareness on causes, prevention and management of various disabilities to reduce disability prevalence and overcome prejudices and traditional beliefs.
  • Promote quality rehabilitation services through medical/social rehabilitation and economic empowerment.
  • Develop and provide low-cost, quality, and appropriate assistive devices through appropriate technology to meet the needs of Persons with Disabilities in rural communities.
  • Partner with County Governments, National Governments, development partners, and community structures to effectively coordinate activities targeting Persons with Disabilities.
  • Promote and support the formation of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) to increase self-confidence and achieve full participation and equal rights.
Our Holistic Approach

Community Based Inclusive Development

Nyabondo implements a multi-sectoral approach across five core domains of Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR).

Health & Rehabilitation

Establishing county disability coordination forums, training health workers, supporting access to assistive devices, corrective surgeries, and therapy services.

Inclusive Education

Strengthening disability-inclusive clubs, conducting Disability Inclusion and Equity Training (DIET), and facilitating accessibility audits in schools and institutions.

Livelihood & Economic Empowerment

Vocational skills training, entrepreneurship development, VSLA formation, and market access for caregivers and persons with disabilities.

Social Inclusion

Community awareness and sensitization, formation of disability support groups, promotion of participation in community activities, and disability rights advocacy.

Empowerment

Capacity building for OPDs, financial literacy training, and support for registration with the National Council for Persons with Disabilities.

Flagship Programmes: Through the support of Christian Blind Mission (CBM), Nyabondo is implementing the SHINE Project (2026–2029) across Kisumu and Homa Bay Counties, focusing on both individual empowerment and societal change. Additionally, with Cheshire Disability Services Kenya, the BEN MAPP II project works across the five CBR domains.

Impact Over Six Decades

Key Achievements

For over 60 years, Nyabondo has transformed communities and restored dignity to thousands.

Community sensitization and awareness has significantly reduced stigma and discrimination of persons with disabilities.

Early identification and intervention has reduced disability prevalence through corrective surgeries and therapy services.

Reduced mobility limitation by provision of assistive devices and mobility aids to support movement.

Increased social inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities through collaboration with OPDs.

Collaboration with partners and stakeholders has made services available, accessible, and affordable to vulnerable persons with disabilities.

Improved livelihoods for youths with disabilities through vocational training programmes.

Honest Reflection

Challenges We Face

Even as we continue to serve, we acknowledge the obstacles that make our mission more urgent and our need for partnership greater.

Inadequate Financial Support

Limited funding to help the institution grow in terms of infrastructure, human resources, and other key operational areas.

Overwhelming Service Delivery

High demand from vulnerable persons with disabilities who are unable to fully cater for the cost of services provided.

Donor Fatigue

Many donors have either withdrawn or reduced support, making it difficult to sustain most programmes at the Centre.

Support Our Work Become a Partner
Our Network

Trusted Partners

We are deeply grateful for the organisations that walk alongside us.

Christian Blind Mission
Cheshire Disability Services Kenya
Ministry of Health
National Fund for the Disabled Kenya
National Council for Persons with Disabilities
Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops
Archdiocese of Kisumu
Association of Sisterhoods of Kenya
View All Partners

Join Us in Transforming Lives

Your support — whether through donation, partnership, or volunteering — enables Nyabondo to reach more persons with disabilities and continue our legacy of hope.

Donate Now Contact Us