Simon
Finding His Voice
Simon was around 11 years old when he first began attending the Stepping Stones Centre in Mombasa. He was profoundly deaf and had no formal way of communicating, relying only on gestures. At the time, very little was known about his background.
Despite this, Simon quickly became a much-loved part of the centre—always smiling, eager to join in, and full of energy.
With support from Gap Kenya, Simon received a hearing assessment and was placed on the pathway to registered disability support. This enabled him to access specialist services and, importantly, a place within one of our foster homes, where he could receive consistent care and stability.
Simon began attending a specialist school for the deaf, where he learned sign language alongside literacy and numeracy skills. He has made remarkable progress—both academically and socially.
Today, Simon is in his final year of primary school and will transition to high school next year. He is head boy at his school, a reflection of his confidence, leadership, and determination.
At home, his foster mum, Christine, has learned sign language to communicate with him, strengthening the bond within the family.
Simon now dreams of becoming a chef—an ambition that reflects just how far he has come.
He has also represented his school in sports competitions, showing confidence and determination beyond the classroom.
