Our Story: A Mother’s Courage, A Son’s Light
The #DontHideMe movement is not just an initiative; it is a heartfelt response to a profound personal journey. Our founder, Najma Osman, knows first-hand the joys and challenges of raising a child with special needs. Her son, Abdullahi, who lives with Down Syndrome, is the heartbeat of this campaign.
Witnessing Abdullahi’s resilience—and seeing so many other children like him hidden away due to fear and misunderstanding—Najma realized that silence was the greatest enemy of progress. Inspired by his courage, she launched #DontHideMe to be a voice for the voiceless, transforming her personal experience into a national mission to move children from the shadows of neglect into a life of dignity, opportunity, and celebration.
Founder #DontHideMe
In many parts of Kenya, particularly in the North Eastern regions, a “Crisis of Invisibility” persists. Deep-seated cultural stigmas often lead families to view developmental disabilities as a “curse” or a source of communal shame.
We envision a society where every child with a disability is visible, counted, and celebrated. We strive for a Kenya where:
Respectful language and inclusive attitudes replace the stigma of the past.
Past Campaigns (Milestones):
Launched the movement #DontHideMe to raise awareness for autism, Down Syndrome, and cerebral palsy.
A landmark medical outreach resulting in a Joint Declaration to rename special schools and establish school health centers.
Focused on legal identity and social health enrollment. The Governor of Wajir pledged therapy centers in every sub-county hospital.
Provided critical hearing and vision assessments, including the use of an audiology machine—a first for the region.
Pwani School Sensory Room Upgrades (2025): Targeted fundraising of KES 300,000 to enhance sensory development tools for students in Nyali.
Ongoing Services:
Medical Assessments & Referrals.
Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy.
NCPWD & Birth Certificate Registration.
Caregiver Support & Empowerment.
The #DontHideMe movement was born from the personal experience of our founder, Najma Osman, a mother raising her son, Abdullahi, who has Down Syndrome. Inspired by his courage, Najma launched the campaign to move children from the shadows into a life of dignity and opportunity.
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