Carers without Borders

Carers Without Borders is a new Derry based group which aims to build a school in and for the Maasai community, Kenya.

Carers Without Borders was founded by Lilian Seenoi and Derry man Paul Barr. The friends met when Paul travelled to Kenya on a charity mission. Lilian’s son Brian Ledama has special needs due to autism and her experiences and research have moved her to build the school; “In order to confront the social stigma caused by the disease in Kenya.”

Despite attending Kenyan doctors since Brian was six months old, it was five and a half years later before Lilian received a possible diagnosis of Autism. That was only after the caring mother of one had travelled to India to consult with experts there.

Since moving to Derry, Brian has attended Foyleview Special School where his progress has been a source of joy to his mother. “I knew my son had problems when he was nine months old but despite consultations with peadiatricians and neurologists a diagnosis never came.”

Brian was 19 months before he walked for the first time, he still does not speak.

Ms. Seenoi, who was formerly employed as a social worker in Kenya, explains: “Sadly the Maasai culture regards childen with disabilities (physical and mental) as a curse. Children who do have special needs are locked away from the outside world.

“It is not uncommon for them to be locked up in a room of their own. They do not have access to education, medical or social care. Even when they die they are often buried in secret.”

To that end Lilian has established Carers Without Borders, Ms. Seenoi explains: “We aim to create awareness of special needs and provide assessment, therapies and basic education to children with special needs in the Maasai community.

“There is a lot of work to do but I am determined to do something to help the Maasai children.”

Driven by her belief to improve her own community, Lilian bought six acres of land in Narok, Kenya on which she hopes to build a school for special needs children.

Carers Without Borders have a number of objectives first of all to form a body of interested parties and an organising committee before agreeing a strategy toward building the special needs school.

If you are interested in joining or assisting Carers Without Borders or in finding out more information please contact Lilian Seenoi on 07503945887 or Brenda Stevenson on brenda_23@hotmail.co.uk