Meet

our

Founders

Sellar Atieno

Sellar Atieno ignited the spark that brought Sunrise School into existence.  Sellar, who has dedicated her life to helping persons with disabilities, completed her diploma in special needs education in 2003 and then began working as a caregiver for children with severe physical challenges.  It wasn’t long before she was promoted and placed in charge of a school for children with complex disabilities; she now serves as coordinator of special needs for all of Kenya’s Western Province.  When asked why Sunrise School is so important to her, she explained, “In special needs education in Kenya, we have had a gap in the area of autism.  Until recently we were confusing autism with intellectual disability.  Due to a lack of expertise in this area, assessment and educational placement for children with autism was a huge challenge.  In this part of Kenya we have never had a school specifically for learners on the autism spectrum.  When I met Wanda in 2016 we shared a lot.  I told her about my dream of having a school here, and we got excited.  I needed to strengthen my skills in assessing and teaching children with autism so Wanda and her friends arranged my visit to Vermont in 2018.  I was able to take a course through the University of Vermont, and I visited many schools to learn about teaching kids with autism.  In 2021 we broke ground for Sunrise, and today the new school is one of its kind, ensuring that needy learners with autism have a school and home away from home, a place serving children with dignity and enthusiasm.  What a great idea! May the sun rise and rise!  Shalom.”

In addition to diplomas in primary and special needs education, Sellar holds a BAs in theology and special needs education, and a Master’s degree in theology and counseling psychology.  Sellar is chair of the Sunrise Education Committee.  

Habel Ouma

Perhaps it is because he is hard of hearing himself and understands some of the obstacles faced by persons with disability that Habel Ouma is such an outstanding advocate for them. As one of Sunrise School’s founders and as chairperson of Uwezo Network, the CBO that oversees Sunrise, Habel’s stated objectives are to provide educational opportunities and give hope to children with autism, to help make educational inclusion possible for more of them, and to make lives easier for their families and caregivers. 

Habel graduated with a Diploma & Bachelor of Arts in Theology.  He has a Certificate in Governance, Leadership and Election.  He also successfully completed the Uraia- International Budget Partnership-Kenya Budget Facilitator training and is a member of the National and Lake Region Budget Facilitators Forums.

Habel has a long history of teaching and mentoring deaf students in primary through high school to gain skills that will nurture their personal, academic and career development. He works with a deaf youth group to build members’ leadership skills and foster a strong and informed deaf community. 

 Habel advocates for and speaks up for persons with disability while serving in many capacities locally, nationally, and internationally.  He currently is chairman of Kakamega Deaf Association (KDA), Mumias/Matungu Disability Network CBO, and Educational Assessment Research Centre-Mumias (EARC-MUMIAS), as well as vice chairman of Kakamega County Disability Caucus. He is Board of Trustee National Vice Chairman of United Disabled Persons of Kenya (UDPK) and a board member of Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network (EDAN) in partnership with World Council of Churches.  Habel serves on the board of directors of four primary/secondary schools as advisor on disability. He champions the rights of all persons with disabilities, working to amplify the voices of women and girls facing gender-based violence, lobbying for persons with disabilities to be included in policy-making and economic empowerment programs. 

Habel is a highly-respected advisor at county and national levels regarding the welfare and needs of persons with disabilities on topics including education, reproductive health, access to information, social protection and employment