In the heart of Busia County, Kenya, in the small community of Apokor, stands a school with a powerful motto: “Give Us a Chance.”

Established in 2001, Apokor Special School for Intellectual Disabilities sits in Apokor in Teso Central. From the beginning, its mission has been clear: to nurture the holistic development of every learner so they can grow in confidence, independence and self-reliance.

The school is a mixed boarding and day institution serving students with intellectual disabilities, hearing impairments and those enrolled in vocational training. More than that, it has become a place of hope for the community—a place where children who are often overlooked are seen, valued and given "a chance."

On one particularly special day, through the Dignity in Every Step program, learners gathered together to receive The Shoe That Grows, a shoe designed to adjust and expand as a child grows. For many of the 152 students, it was more than just a pair of shoes.

It was safety.

It was protection.

It was dignity.

As the shoes were distributed, volunteers and teachers carefully helped fit each student. Smiles spread across faces—shy smiles, joyful smiles, proud smiles.

Madam Jane Anya Kaunya, the Head of Institution, watched it all unfold. “Each and every single day is a learning process for me,” she shared. “I discover something new about each of our 152 learners, who I prefer to describe as ‘differently abled.’”

Since the school was established in 2001, Madam Kaunya and the more than 15 teachers and support staff at Apokor have witnessed something many people fail to recognize: with patience, training, and consistent practice, learners with intellectual disabilities can grow, achieve and become responsible members of society.

“I have seen mentally challenged children who are geniuses—more talented than ordinary children,” she explained. “It is disappointing when a parent becomes disinterested in their education.”

But the staff at Apokor have never lost interest. They have never stopped believing. And they have never stopped giving chances, even in the face of challenges.

The impact of intentionally including special schools in shoe distributions has not gone unnoticed.

“The impact witnessed in our deliberate efforts to consider special schools in the shoe distribution has been immense,” shared Sarah Martha, Executive Director of Dhamira Moja, our partner organization who distributed shoes at Apokor through their Dignity in Every Step program.

“The community is really appreciative. Normally, they’re forgotten in many initiatives. They’re very grateful to Because International and Dhamira Moja. So far we have distributed to four special schools and look forward to more schools benefiting.”

Because sometimes dignity begins with something as simple as a pair of shoes.

Interested in supporting more distributions of The Shoe That Grows like this one? Give now.