Lorine Atieno is proof that someone with a disability can lead a productive, self-supporting life. Even though the simple task of walking is a struggle for Lorine, her fingers manage to flow effortlessly over the weaving machine that creates the material for school sweaters. She is a part of a Diakonia Compassionate Ministry (DCM) program that assists mentally and physically disabled people by teaching them job skills and also by helping them to sell their products. This program focuses on people’s abilities, rather than their disabilities and it helps those who would otherwise be cast aside by society. It aims to give them opportunities while helping them to explore their talents, and also serves to raise awareness about the opportunities available to disabled people.
For about four years, Lorine has been producing these beautiful sweaters. DCM purchases the sweaters, and sells them to schools for a small profit. This money then goes back to the program, and is used towards marketing and expansion. The program is hoping to expand and service more people.
Being able to shape a simple ball of yarn into the form of a sweater requires a great deal of talent, and DCM is helping to turn that talent into a mean of support for an otherwise hopeless person. Lorine Atieno has a talent, and with the help of DCM this means that she also has hope.
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