March 28, 2024

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Living with Visual Impairment, Mukamwezi narrates her Story

  • Mukamwezi Joselyne, Byimana, Ruhango
  • This case study is related to Mukamwezi Joselyne who has visual impairment problem. Mukamwezi, 40, lives in Byimana Sector of Ruhango District in the Southern Province of Rwanda.

She says that she lost her sight during her childhood. Mukamwezi who has four years old boy has never gone to school as any other child.

“I lost my sight during childhood and it was after 7 years when I started hearing people saying that I can’t see” Mukamwezi said.

She narrates that at the time even parents used not to take care of children living with Disabilities. “Before the 1994 Genocide against Tutsis, People with Disabilities have no voice in their family and even in the Society.” She narrates.

“Other children at home managed to go to school but me didn’t because of visual impairment and my parents saw no interests in taking me to school like other young people of my age at the time.”

Mukamwezi said that at her 15s, good Samaritans came at home and took her to the hospital to seek medications.

“It was between 1993 and 1994 when good Samaritans took me to the hospital for medical operations. “ She explained.

As consequences to her ordeal, Mukamwiza noted that she used to feel stigma of her physical condition and felt rejected by the society as her family didn’t want to give her same rights like other children.

However, with the support from Rwanda Union of Blinds (RUB), Mukamwezi like others who benefit from the organization was trained on various subjects which include fighting stigma, leadership, projects creation, social issues, entrepreneurship and fighting trauma among many others.

“It was then I started gaining hope for my future and working in order to improve my living conditions.” She says.

“I joined local saving group and after I was able to buy a pig using the 40,000 Rwf that I got as assistance provided by RUB and since then my life has a bit changed,” Mukamwezi explained.

From her birth date to 2013, Mukamwezi was living with her family. In 2013 she lost her mother who was only her parent since her father died years before.

To date Mukamwezi lives in Kirengeri Cell, Nyaruzinga Village in Byimana Sector of Ruhango District.

The house she is living in together with her 4 years old boy belongs to her family. It means that Mukamwezi has not her own house.

During the Interview, Mukamwezi said that even if she lives in that house it belongs to the Family.

“I and my young boy live in this house.” She said

“The same house also accommodates our goat because we fear that it can be stolen if we leave it outside during night hours.” She added.

“Really I wish to own a home so that my child will live a better life when I die.” She says.

Mukamwezi was impregnated by a man whom she says “Was from Gisenyi”.

“Five years ago, my sister brought a man here and she convinced me that the man is a good person with good characters. But I realized that my sister and that man had other hidden agenda. “She narrates.

“As days went on, I started to share relationship with that man and that is when he impregnated me.” Mukamwezi said.

“Since then the man has left me with this little boy that I am very happy to have by my side.” She says.

Harvest being dried

“When you are sad, you are also able to find solutions. That’s when I started to look for what I can do to make a living. I started farming and when I harvest 50 Kg of beans I sell 30 Kg and get money to solve other family problems.”

Mukamwezi also adds that “With the small amount that I get from farming I have also to make sure that every week I save between 200 Rwf and 500 Rwf in our saving Group “Ikimina.”

Mukamwezi says she doesn’t have Bank account due to lack of means. She said that in order to gain loan from SACCO you need to present a mortgage which is very difficult to get.

Her vision is to have her own house to be her home.

“I have hoped that God will help me and build my own house that my child will remain with when I die.” She said

Mukamwezi manages to get at least 5,000 Rwf monthly. Besides to that she has a pig, rabbits and a got. She also cultivates to make a living.

Apart from being in Blinds Union, Mukamwezi also is a member of Community Cooperative that cultivates maize and beans.

“Other members of the Cooperative used to question whether I will be able to contribute but this time their mindset towards me have changed. They consider me as active member of the cooperative.” She says.

“Today I am a happy woman, self-confident and focused on my development. I no longer beg! I use my arms to make a living.” Mukamwiza says.

As challenges, Mukamwiza explained that she is in Category 2 of Ubudehe which she says “This category doesn’t favor me. I wish to be in Category 1 because I am poor despite change in my living conditions!”

People in this category do not get Government sponsored Health Insurance scheme, and for Mukamwezi, she can’t afford the sum of money to pay for Mituelle de Sante.

Mukamwezi commends local administration for the way they render service to people with Disabilities.

“We can now get heard when we have problems and when you have a constructive idea you contribute it during the General assembly in our villages.” She says.

She requested the Good Samaritans to construct a house for her and her child while at the same time calling for the continuous advocacy by RUB.

“Really RUB has done a lot for us! May be the Union can invest more in capacity building of Women with visual impairments.” She concludes.

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