THE STORY OF NHWC
NHWC believes in the potential of every human being to be their greatest self.
There are programs and resources available all over Kenya, but often they're focused on the immediate problem rather than a sustainable solution. We believe this approach can, in fact, be harmful to people in the long term. NHWC is founded on the concept that by working with communities to redefine programs within the public sector, we build bridges between the available services and the people who need them the most. We work to eliminate redundancy, unlock financial capacity, and change policy.
We come in at the grassroots level by working with communities to identify their needs and creatively meet the challenges they face. We then work hand-in-hand to create support networks and establish partnerships that propel sustainable solutions to reality. We work with people who are already working toward their goals and who, with equitable access to resources and knowledge, create results that are demonstrable and inspiring.
Founded in 2010 with the aim of changing the status of people with disabilities in Kenya, we now have three pillars of focus: Health, Disability, and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene). Since 2009, our projects have directly impacted over 200,000 people in Kenya.
Our goal is not only to create truly sustainable community models that are accessible and replicable, but for our organization to be financially sustainable without relying on foreign aid. We do this by generating income that is used to develop and expand public programs. We emphasize that this is done by Kenyans—for Kenyans.
NATE'S STORY
Nathan Hall Williams ("Nate Dawg") was born with Spina Bifida in the United States.
From a very young age, Nate had countless hours of physical, occupational, and speech therapy to reach developmental milestones at the same rate as his peers. He had over 50 surgeries in his lifetime and used a wheelchair for mobility. Though these challenges may seem sad to some, they can instead stand as an example of what is possible for a person with a disability.
Nate was a fighter, a friend, an equal, and a person who was fortunate enough to live and grow in a community that afforded him the resources and opportunity to become all he was. He graduated high school, held several jobs, played on a baseball team, and spent his weekends trolling Main Street looking for girls with his friends. Nate grew into a typical teenager and an extraordinary person.
Nate was an inspiration to his older sister and NHWC's founder, Haley Williams. She continues to work with Kenyan communities to create these same opportunities for everyone, everywhere. It is because of Nate that NHWC believes disability ≠ inability.
