Call for visually impaired children to exploit education opportunities
KILIMANJARO: THE Secretary of Tanzania League for the Blind (TLB), Moshi Branch in Kilimanjaro Region, Mr Rumisha Masamu has called on parents and guardians with visually impaired or blind children to help them exploit educational opportunities availed for them.
Mr Masamu made the call over the weekend in Moshi, Kilimanjaro region during the event for handing over braille computers, including announcing educational scholarships for visually impaired and blind students from various universities in the country.
“Blind people have many career opportunities to pursue once they get education, so it is good for parents and guardians of such children to send them to school so that they can take advantage of those opportunities,” he said.
Talking about the donation, he said that it will enable students to pursue their studies well in their respective universities just like their well sighted students.
Moshi Secondary School Headmaster Mr Samwel Bendera emphasized that the training and equipment provided to participants present a vital opportunity for students to showcase their educational talents.
“This programme will open lifelong opportunities for digital equity and employment, so it’s essential to make the most of this chance. Use this opportunity and ultimately serve the nation well,” he stated.
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Project Coordinator Mr Emmanuel Nderumaki explained that the training and scholarships involve 40 students from various institutions, including the Universities of Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, the Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE), Ruaha University, Archbishop Mihayo University, and Mkwawa University.
Mr Nderumaki noted that the initiative aims to bridge the digital divide for the blind and the visually impaired within higher education institutions.
The programme, called the Learning Improvement Project for Visually Impaired Students in Tanzania, is funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and implemented by the Siloam International Foundation for the Blind in collaboration with the Moshi Branch of the Tanzania League for the Blind in the Kilimanjaro region.
One of the beneficiaries, Ms Rebecca Benson from the University of Dar es Salaam expressed how the computers they received will significantly aid blind students in their studies.
“These computers will allow us to learn independently and save time compared to the past when we often relied on sighted classmates for help,” she explained.
She added: “During exam preparations, we sometimes had to wake someone up at midnight to help us review our lessons. Now, with these computers with braille technology, I can do everything by myself, including downloading educational materials and preparing for exams.”
Another beneficiary, Mr Dario Chande said that the braille computers will enable them to engage in additional activities, such as publishing books.
He noted that the specialized computers will reduce both the time and costs associated with publishing materials for visually impaired individuals.
