Children with Disabilities: A Holistic Approach towards Care, Inclusion and Empowerment
On April 14th 2026, Misean Cara will host a conference in Nairobi, Kenya to share the learning, experiences and outcomes from its three-year Children with Disabilities (CWD) Programme.
The conference provides a space for Misean Cara members, practitioners, researchers and partners to reflect on what has been learned through the programme, explore practical approaches to disability inclusion, and discuss how these insights can inform future work. Through presentations, discussions and shared experiences from the nine participating projects, the event will highlight effective models of support and identify opportunities to strengthen collaboration and advocacy for the rights and inclusion of children with disabilities.
Meet our Speakers
Dr. Michael Munene
Executive Director, National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD)
Dr. Michael Munene is the Executive Director of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD). Dr. Munene is dedicated to enhancing service delivery, strengthening institutional e๏ฌectiveness, and ensuring that persons with disabilities achieve full and equal participation in Kenyaโs social, economic, and political landscape. Dr. Munene has led signi๏ฌcant international research on accessible public transport and inclusive built environments. Dr. Munene holds a PhD in Universal Design, a Masterโs in Sustainable Design, and a First-Class Honours degree in Universal Interior Design from the University of Nairobi.
Yende Anderson
Senior Program O๏ฌcer, GHR Foundation
Yende Anderson is a Senior Program O๏ฌcer at the GHR Foundation, a Minnesota-based faith organization. Yende serves on GHRโs Global Church Vitality team, supporting the Church and its partners in strengthening organisational capacity and long-term sustainability. Her primary areas of focus include safeguarding, synodality, and operational systems. Yende holds a law degree, as well as a BA in Economics and Political Science from the University of Minnesota, and a healthcare MBA from the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota.
Mike Williams
Children with Disabilities Programme Coordinator, Misean Cara
Mike Williams is Co-ordinator of the Children with Disabilities Programme with Misean Cara. Mike has signi๏ฌcant long-term experience of working in Senior Programme Management for agencies including Concern Worldwide, Trรณcaire, Oxfam Ireland and the Irish Catholic Agency for World Development. Mike worked as a self-employed consultant from 2011-2023, with a particular focus on support for faith-based / missionary organisations and on disability, as an area of particular interest to him. Mike holds a masterโs in international development studies from University College Dublin.
Caroline Chelal
Children with Disabilities Programme Consultant, Misean Cara
Caroline Chelal is a consultant leading on Research and Resources for the Misean Cara Children with Disabilities Programme. Caroline is an experienced Programme Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, Research and Learning Specialist with a strong background in research, learning, tracking and reporting of results in the humanitarian and development sectors. Caroline holds an MSc in Sustainability and Environmental Management from Coventry University, UK and an MA in Project Planning and Management from The Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Kenya.
Deputy Head of Mission and Head of Co-operation, Embassy of Ireland, Nairobi
Evelyn Maris is the Deputy Head of Mission and Head of Cooperation for the Embassy of Ireland in Kenya. Prior to joining the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade she worked in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia for several international non-governmental organisations and for the Red Cross Movement. Evelyn holds a Fellowship from the Association of Chartered Certi๏ฌed Accountants and a Masters in Human Rights from National University of Ireland, Galway.
Sr. Euphrasia Masika, DST
National Program Director, Catholic Care for Children in Uganda (CCCU)
Sr. Euphrasia Masika (Religious Institute of the Daughters of St. Therese of the Child Jesus in Uganda) is the National Program Director for Catholic Care for Children in Uganda (CCCU), an initiative of the Association of Religious in Uganda (ARU). Sr. Euphrasia is at the forefront of supporting women religious in Uganda to champion child care reform and enhance outcomes for children not in family care. She holds an MS in Health Services Management and a Bachelors in Business Administration and Management both from Uganda Martyrs University.
Vincent Kombuor Ogutu
Institutional Funding Manager, CBM Global
Vincent Ogutu is a Disability Inclusion Advisor with CBM Global Kenya. Vincent has led the design and delivery of inclusion strategies across sectors including education, livelihoods, mental health, health systems and disability-inclusive disaster risk management, working in close partnership with Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs). His work emphasizes systems strengthening and safeguarding-aware programming ensuring practical, scalable solutions that advance equitable access, participation and outcomes for children with disabilities.
Valerie Philpott
Safeguarding Adviser, Misean Cara
Valerie Philpott is the Safeguarding Advisor at Misean Cara. Valerie is passionate about child welfare, childrenโs rights and care reform. Valerie previously worked in Child Protection in Australia for six years and as a Social Worker in Ireland. Valerie is a quali๏ฌed Social Worker and holds membership with the Social Work Registration Board of Ireland (CORU). Valerie holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) and a Master of Laws (LL.M) (Children’s Rights and Family Law) from University College Cork.
Supported by the GHR Foundation and Irish Aid, the three-year Children with Disabilities Programme brings together Misean Cara member projects in Kenya, Uganda, Zambia and South Africa that are working to improve community-based support and inclusion for children with disabilities and their families.
