Kar Geno, formerly Sigomere Small Home, exemplifies a successful transition from institutional care to community-based support for children with disabilities in Siaya County, Kenya. This case study highlights how, with support from Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and the Changing the Way We Care initiative, Kar Geno implemented a Care Reform Transition Framework that prioritized family reintegration, disability-inclusive parenting, and holistic rehabilitation services. By 2024, 99% of resident children had been reintegrated into their families, supported by caregiver training, therapeutic play, assistive devices, and inclusive financial education.
The transformation was enabled by flexible funding, visionary leadership, and strong collaboration with government and civil society actors. Kar Geno now operates a drop-in center offering subsidized medical and psychosocial services, including epilepsy care and physiotherapy. Despite challenges in funding and accessibility, the center’s adaptive approach and community engagement have significantly reduced stigma and improved outcomes for children with disabilities, offering a replicable model for care reform across similar contexts.
