Blind Father of 11 Wanting Some More

Moses Mandangura is a 49 year old father of 11; seven sons and four daughters, who knows exactly what he wants.

Mandagura who hails from Murkwijit village in West Pokot County was born blind, the only one among his six siblings.

Despite his inability to see, Mr Mandagura who is a teacher by profession and a full time father to his children has the admiration and respect of many.

That includes his wife of 23 years, Pauline.

He teaches Kiswahili and Social Studies at St Francis School for the Blind in Kapenguria.

According to The Standard, mwalimu Mandagura says that being blind with 11 children inspires him to be a better father. It doesn’t matter that he does not know how his children look.

However, he has other abilities that enable him connect with them. In that case, he knows all of them by name, voice, their touch and can tell their mood.

He also knows how far along each one of them has grown.

“I desire to see my children but it is impossible in my state. However, I can identify all of them by their voices and by touching them. I enjoy hearing and feeling them grow,” he says.

When The Standard visited his home yesterday on Father’s Day, the crew found  Mandangura inspecting his farm, touching crops and livestock to know how well they are growing. He was in the company of his children.

Speaking of how he became a teacher, he says,

“My parents took me to St Francis School for the Blind in Kapenguria where I learnt how to use braille. Then I proceeded to Asumbi Teachers College before securing a job in 1996 as a teacher.”

He met Pauline through a friend during his college days.

“At first, she hesitated, but I fought on until I won her heart and her hand in marriage in 1997.” He said adding that he paid 11 cows as dowry.

The couple’s first born is 19 and set to enroll in university when COVID-19 dies down. Their last born is two years old.

Mandagura says it was his decision to have 11 children.

He can perform house chores such as sweeping, cooking and cleaning clothes. But he cannot chop vegetables.

He has mastered his way around his homestead and village. He goes shopping at the local market often.

He also believes that support from family is crucial to any person with disability.

If he could see, he would do so much more for himself and his family.

“Many blind parents have raised happy, healthy children who have grown into responsible, productive adults,” his wife says.

 

 

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