GIZ, the biggest donor of White canes for visually impaired Rwandans
By Ange de la Victoire DUSABEMUNGU
The German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) has been revealed to be so far the biggest donor of white canes for visually impaired persons in Rwanda.
This was made public on Thursday, 14th November 2019 during the celebration of the International White Cane Day in Rwanda.
The celebration took place in Nyagatare District where 20 white canes were distributed among 20 visually impaired persons from the District.
A white cane primarily allows its user to scan their surroundings for obstacles or orientation marks, but is also helpful for onlookers in identifying the user as blind or visually impaired and taking appropriate care.
Despite this tool being very important to blind persons, it is very hard to get, according to the Rwanda Union of the Blind (RUB).
The cane costs as much as Rwf 30,000 which is very expensive to most of visually impaired persons.
A big number of Blind persons in Rwanda are in Category 1 of Ubudehe which is made of families who can hardly afford basic needs.
Every year, the Rwanda Union of the Blind requests well-wishers to donate white canes or contribute financial support so that the remaining number of persons in need get them.
However it is still a challenge for some to get that important tool.
RUB announced that so far “GIZ is the biggest donor because it has donated 200 White canes in total” that have enabled 200 visually impaired persons to experience the secure movement as one of their rights.
However the Executive Secretary of Rwanda Union of the Blind advised people to consult the Union before buying the White canes for them.
Dr. Donatilla Kanimba said “Some people are buying the canes which are not suitable for the disabilities we have. “
“You may probably buy the cane for deaf-blind person while we need the cane for Blind persons and vice-versa.”
She asked the Government and partners to teach the “Usage of the white cane”
“Sometime we can blame people to not giving value to this cane not on their own but because they don’t know how important it is. So it is better that we teach the value and usage of white cane”
In Rwanda there are over 64,000 visually impaired people and a few percentages of them have access to white cane.
This Year the White cane Celebration was held under theme “Availability of White cane; Protection for my life.”
The White Cane Safety Day reminds the world of the importance of the White Cane as a tool for independent living for blind and partially sighted persons.
