Posts in category: Our Stories

The World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020, declared the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak a global pandemic. As the outbreak had spread around the world, it had become more difficult to manage. More countries opted to take the strictest measures possible to contain it. Well, over 100 countries globally had instituted either a full or partial lockdown by the end of March 2020, affecting billions of people. In the final week of March, as more and more countries introduced travel restrictions to try to contain the virus, many others had recommended restricted movement for some or all of their citizens. It seemed as if the whole world was in hiding!!

On 21 March 2020, the prime minister of Rwanda announced a two-week national lockdown for further precautionary measures to curb the spread of Covid-19. The measures were aimed at restricting unwarranted movement except for essential services ensuring that all workers in all public and private sectors work from home except for those rendering essential service. Life had to go on and work to continue as much as possible. That is when we remembered that the information technology could come to our rescue. That means video calls and instant messaging have become invaluable workroom tools. Virtual meetings started being held and people getting out to go to the office only when it is absolutely necessary.

There was so much confusion like students being stuck at school when they have been allowed to go home or being stuck at home when they have been called to school and naturally students with visual impairments looked to RUB for support. Luckily, the Rwanda Union of the Blind (RUB) already had service badges for staff which could make it possible for them to move around during the lockdown. We had to quickly find voluntary partners to assist in transporting student to their various destinations instead of them using the public transport. Other RUB members were short of food, we stepped up and got assistance from well-wishers. This is why we always say that unity is strength. The Covid 19 period really proved this.

Other important activities that took place virtually include: WBU General Assembly, the RUB General Assembly and Numerous international meetings. This might mean that the international travel is set to reduce drastically because meetings can now be held virtually. Why had we not thought of this before!!! How much wiser we are now! I’m sure organizational budgets will stretch much further.

DONATILLA KANIMBA

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR    

RWANDA UNION OF THE BLIND (RUB)

Le 28, janvier 2018, la 30ième session de la conférence des chefs d’état et de gouvernement de l’Union Africaine (UA) a adopté le protocole à la charte africaine des droits de l’homme et des peuples relatif aux droits des personnes handicapées en Afrique « Protocole sur les Droits des Personnes Handicapées en Afrique). Le présent Protocole a pour objet de promouvoir, protéger et garantir la pleine et égale jouissance de tous les droits de l’homme et de la personne humaine par toutes les personnes handicapées, et de garantir le respect de leur dignité intrinsèque.

Protocole sur les Droits des Personnes Handicapées en Afrique est rendu nécessaire par les réalités pragmatiques et institutionnelles en Afrique couplées à la forte prévalence du handicap en Afrique et à la marginalisation historique des personnes handicapées. Il est important de noter  que ce Protocole n’est pas contraire à la  Convention relative aux Droits des Personnes Handicapées (CDPH) mais réaffirme toutes les normes, principes et obligations qui y sont stipulés. La philosophie unique de ce protocole par rapport à la  CNUDPH est qu’il est développé pour aborder et ensuite éliminer les opinions et croyances africaines sur le handicap influencées par des pratiques traditionnelles et culturelles néfastes.

Bien que le Royaume du Lesotho ait ratifié et domestiqué la CNUDPH, il existe toujours un besoin impérieux de ratifier d’autres accords continentaux ou régionaux complémentaires aux conventions des Nations Unies promouvant la reconnaissance des droits des personnes handicapées comme le Protocole sur les Droits des Personnes Handicapées en Afrique . La question du handicap est désormais l’un des questions les plus pressants  qui devraient être au cœur des institutions législatives.

Le gouvernement du Lesotho devrait donc trouver absolument prudent d’améliorer le niveau de vie des personnes handicapées, en formulant, promulguant des lois sur l’équité et en ratifiant les traités internationaux et/ou régionaux établis pour garantir la jouissance effective de tous les droits humains par les personnes handicapées.

Les réponses valides directes à ceux qui se demandent pourquoi est-il nécessaire de considérer ce protocole sont énumérées ci-dessous.

1. Les caractéristiques saillantes de la charte africaine des droits de l’homme et des peuples sur les droits des personnes handicapées en Afrique impliquent : Garantir à l’intégration du handicap dans les politiques, les plans d’élaboration des législations, les programmes et les activités.
2. Toute discrimination fondée sur un handicap est interdite 
3. Décrit le droit d’accès aux services, installations et dispositifs
4. Droit à la liberté et à la sûreté et interdit la privation de liberté sur la base d’un handicap ou d’un handicap perçu
5. La charte interdit également les pratiques culturelles néfastes (qui sévissent en Afrique).
6. Le droit à l’autoreprésentation
7. La charte désigne les femmes et les filles, les enfants, les personnes âgées et les jeunes comme une catégorie spéciale de personnes handicapées

Le Lesotho National League of the Visually Impaired Persons (LNLVIP) recommande vivement au gouvernement du Lesotho de soutenir les personnes handicapées en prenant des mesures efficaces pour ratifier ce protocole. Cette initiative entraînera l’amélioration du niveau de vie des personnes handicapées et la pleine jouissance de leurs droits fondamentaux au Lesotho. Le LNLVIP travaille en collaboration avec d’autres organisations de société civile (OSC) dans la poursuite du discours sur l’agenda du handicap afin de renforcer les stratégies de plaidoyer pour la ratification du Protocole sur la handicapée en Afrique.

 Préparé par Keketso Mangope,

Le coordinateur national de Projet ADP et SDSR du LNLVIP

RWANDA UNION OF THE BLIND (RUB)

Today, due to technology driven services the financial sector offers digital services, and yet, it’s also common for these digital services to be inaccessible to people with disabilities.

On 4^th of November 2020, Lesotho National League of the Visually Impaired Persons (LNLVIP) facilitated a one-day training on inclusive Bank Services, funded by Norwegian Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted Persons (NABP). LNLVIP has started with bank staff training which is the first training. The training programme stretches till 2024 with an intend to train different staff members every year.

The training drew participants from six local banks; Nedbank, Standard bank, Boliba savings and Credit, First National Bank, Lesotho Post Bank and Central Bank of Lesotho, and visually impairment customers.

The purpose of the training was to mainstream disability in their banking services in order to ensure inclusive services to their Visually Impaired customers. Training and Sensitization allows staff to understand more about people with vision loss or impairment and teaches the staff how to best serve all clients.

 Blind and Visually impaired clients face a number of challenges. As explained by one of the participants;

 “I will find it difficult entering pin numbers because some ATMs lack braille systems and absence of voice feedback for various on-screen functions”

The banking sector should work towards improving accessibility to banking services and providing reasonable accommodation for visually impaired persons.

Integrate accessibility into their system.

The rights of persons with disabilities have been recognized under legal instruments such as UNCRPD and SDG’s. Though, they do not have direct bearing with banking they are instrumental in developing an “accessibility policy” that can be added to bank’s overall customer service policy.

The training helped the staff to gain confidence in communicating with people who are blind or visually impaired and becoming familiar with asking people if they will require an alternative to standard print documents.

The purpose of this training was to ensure that bank staff understand disability related needs for them to access services, disability and its underlying terms and how to provide reasonable accommodation.

Mabataung Khetsi

Lesotho National League of the Visually Impaired Persons (LNLVIP)

Broad street downtown Monrovia, is the public square where more than 150 blind and partially sighted persons who traveled from different parts of the country, assembled to observance World White Cane Safety Day on 15^th of October 2020. Approximately 210 students (senior high) from seven other schools from both public and private joined the parade in solidarity with the blind in the celebration.

The parade was led by band unit of the Liberia National Police who played melodious music as the parade match along the streets. Under the command of Police Inspector General, the traffic Police were strategically positioned in different corners of the city’s major streets to direct the movement of traffic for safe and peaceful match of the parade. The march lasted for nearly two hours covering nearly five miles, and was climaxed at the Monrovia City Hall where the indoor program was held for another one and a half hours. 

The program was attended by representatives from several other civil society groups; held on the theme: Engaging Government’s Pro-Poor Agenda for Inclusive Social Development, economic participation and the prosperity of the blind in Liberia. The Director General of Liberia Social Security and Welfare Corporation delivered the keynote address. The director of special and Inclusive Education represented the Ministry of Education at this year’s observance of the Cane’s Day. 

It was a memorable occasion that brought together not only a mass mobilization of persons who are blind and/or partially sighted in a social event with the general public, members of the print and electronic media, student groups and law enforcement officers, especially as we combat the challenges of Covid-19. 

Mr. Beyan G. Kota

AFUB, West Africa Regional Representative

cabliberia2008@gmail.com 

On the 10^th October, 2019 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, AFUB Women Committee held their Forum to elect their leadership.

As stipulated in the constitution of the African Union of the Blind (AFUB), there was seventh ordinary Forum held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for AFUB Women Committee. The Forum is the Sovereign body of the Women Committee which is held every four years and takes all necessary and conducive measures to discuss the achievement of the objects of the Union relating to blind and partially sighted women in Africa. The Forum of the Women serves as a platform that allows members of the committee to review progress of the Women’s activities over the past four years and elaborate plans for the next quadrennial period, as well as elect new leaders to head the Union for the ensuing quadrennial period.

Attending the seventh AFUB Women Committee Forum on 10^th October 2019 in room one of Addis Intercontinental Hotel, were twenty-one delegates representing twenty-one AFUB member countries. A host of development partners, observers and visitors were also present.

Women’s election which was moved from its original date of Eighth October, 2019 took place on 10^th October, before the elections of president and vice president of the union.

On the agenda for discussion and eventual adoption were minutes of the seventh women Forum, report from women president, discussions on Strategies for partnership and inclusion of women in all AFUB programmes, Women’s action plan, and ended with the election of the Chairperson and vice chairperson of the Women’s committee.

The Forum elected Eveline  Angomwi from Cameroon as the Women’s chair and Ms. Eliwaja Msukuma from Tanzania as the vice-chair.

The following represent the women at the regional level: Central Africa Region-Eugenia Sacramento from Saotome and Principe, East Africa Region-Ms. Eliwaja Msukuma from Tanzania, North Africa Region-Dina Foda from Egypt, Southern Africa Region-Ms. Mabataung Khetsi from Lesotho and West Africa region-Calister Ugwuaneke from Nigeria.

AFUB acknowledges the support of its development partners including but not limited to: Swedish Association of the Visually Impaired (SRF), MyRight, Norwegian Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted (NABP), and Danish Association of the Blind (DAB), Sightsavers, World Blind Union (WBU), Africa Forum Council, African Union (AU), Africa Disability Alliance (ADA), and International Council for the Education of People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI and African Disability Forum (ADF)without whose support the General Assembly would not have been a success.

“Fostering spirit of independence” 

Many sports have been adapted to include people with disabilities, such as swimming and football. South Sudan Association of Visual Impairment (SSAVI) for the first time in the history of the country formed South Sudan Blind Football Team in February 2020 with support from Light for the World. An organization that raises awareness on physical, social, cultural, and communication barriers that prevent persons with disabilities from participating in society.

The team is currently composed of 10 visually impaired players, 2 goal keepers, coach, assistant coach and international instructor from Germany.

The team held its first friendly match on 3^rd December 2020 at the basketball stadium. The team was divided into team A and B where team A won the match which was conducted in form of penalty shootout

says Coach Simon Madol and team captain Ladu Martine

The National Olympics Committee granting permission for the team to use the national stadium playground, is a sign of recognition and support for the team to progress. The team is hoped to be the nuclear for South Sudan Blind Football National team and represent the country in international competitions in the near future. 

How is blind football is played?

What amazes most fans is the speed of movement, pace and intensity of the game similar to one played by sighted team. Players also show the same passion, skills and commitment to physical fitness.

Major modification from the mainstream football is the blindfolds which are designed to balance the playing ground for players with different level of visual impairment. Instead of 11 players, 5 players make up a blind football team of which 4 are blind players and a sighted goal keeper.

The rattling ball allows the players to locate it as they move around the field yelling to clarify their position. Meanwhile, a sighted goalkeeper and an off-field guide direct the players towards the ball. Passes cover a short distance and players control the ball not to move more than a few inches from their feet.

Communication is key among the players and command of the ball. Compared to sighted game, players do a lot more of dribbling and close control “as coach Simon Madol states

Another striking feature of blind football is the how the fans must watch the game in silence, unless the ball goes off side they shout or howl. Otherwise, they will interfere with messages being shouted between the players in the field.

Mubarak age 21 is a player in the new team who used to play at school and local residential level before becoming blind in 2016.

Now I am delighted to regain the passion of playing football a hope that was lost

Lack of awareness

One major challenge is lack of awareness on blind football hence, may not mobilize adequate resource from entrance fees. This also make it difficult to identify players from young age given that their family’s do not comprehend the importance of sport in their well-being. Besides, universal barriers faced by persons with visual impairment, the team also faces limited experts in training the game.

SSAVI endeavor to sensitive the public on the sport to deepen their understandings and ensure that the new team reaches its utmost capacity by which may contribute to multiple initiatives of the association.

The game has given players who have lost their sight later in life a comeback to a sport they were once passionate about. Those born naturally blind, is not only an opportunity to make new friendship of a team sport but also foster spirit of independence, boosting confidence and social skills

Let’s break down barriers to achieve inclusive, accessible and sustainable development for people with disabilities

Not even the COVID-19 pandemic could hold back Persons with Visual Impairment and Blindness in Burundi from commemorating an important dates on Disability calendar. While White Cane Awareness day is normally celebrated on 15^th October, in Burundi, the day was commemorated on October 24,2020 at inclusive school for the blind, visually impaired and deaf of Gihanga Kanuura. The occasion was attended by the Director representing the Ministry of Solidarity, Human Rights and Gender and leaders from other associations.

The occasion was not only a great way to involve local community and educate the public about the blind but also a lobbying opportunity to encourage the local governments to issue a proclamation to remind everyone of the law, and highlight awareness of the presence of blind and visually impaired people in the community.

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities on the 3^rd of December, did not go unnoticed. It was also brilliantly commemorated with sports activities and goalball in particular for the visually impaired in the presence of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Human Rights, Social Affairs and Gender.

“We are delighted to see that as part of the digital transition;people with disabilities are taken into account.”

The director of the Cjarc center, Coco Bertin

The government of Cameroon through the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications Ms. Minette Libom Li Likeng donated an inclusive multimedia center to the CJARC (Club of Young Blind Rehabilitated of Cameroon).

This center is a framework dedicated to learning of information and communication technologies (ICT) accessible to people with disability especially the blind and partially sighted people. It is equipped with ultramodern devices and equipment meeting international standards. According to the head of the Céciweb and IT training department, Audrey Makoumbo,

This space allows access to various documents for visually impaired people in Braille. It will also include, among others, textbooks and school documents, work reports. The sound library or sound library service represents an audio information bank that will promote the socio-professional integration of beneficiaries in general and disabled people in particular

The official inauguration ceremony of the center which took place on Monday 2, December 2020 was opened by Ms. Minette Libom Li Likeng in the presence of several distinguished personalities in particular; the Mayor of Yaoundé, Minister of Secondary Education, the representative of the Minister of Social Affairs and many guests representing private, public and semi-public companies, civil society NGOs and the media.

During the speech delivery, the Minister for telecommunications recalled the government’s commitment to bridging the digital divide.

The head of state called for digital inclusion

According to director of CJARC, the Cameroonian government through this initiative promote inclusiveness of persons with disabilities in reducing the digital divide.

AFUB  Central Africa regional report.