John Koigi is a Set-Up Specialist Sr. Defense at The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. He was selected by his peers as the 2019 Raymond W. Haman Direct Labor Employee of the Year.
John was diagnosed with macular degeneration when he was a child. Growing up in Kenya, he did not have access to the support and training he needed to live independently. He struggled to finish high school and had few career opportunities. John won the immigration lottery in 2005 and was eager to start a new life in the United States.
When John first arrived in Washington, he got a job at a convenience store. His visual impairment was not accommodated, and he felt that he was undervalued because of his disability. “I felt discriminated against as a blind person. I hoped they would teach me or at least acknowledge me, but it did not happen,” John said.
During John’s time working at the convenience store, he was frequently ridiculed about being blind. He was robbed at gunpoint three times. After a bullet narrowly missed his face, he decided it was time for a change. He told his doctor about his vision impairment, and his doctor told him about the Lighthouse.
Image Description: A man is standing a machine, and feeding a tube through it. He is wearing a black shirt.
John started working at the Lighthouse as a production employee. He came to the Lighthouse with no prior experience in machinery. In three short years he is now training to become a department lead and is enrolled in the Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship program.
“John is dependable and is willing to work anywhere to help meet deadlines for production needs. He is always eager to learn new jobs and to run new machines,” said Sabino Mata, Division Manager, Defense at The Lighthouse. “He is an inspiration to be around and is an outstanding representative of the Lighthouse company values.”
John now owns a home and is proud to be able to provide for his wife and three children. “I love coming to work every day. I enjoy the community and camaraderie. At the Lighthouse, I have the opportunity to fulfill my family’s dreams and retire proudly.”
