{"id":29486,"date":"2022-11-15T15:51:05","date_gmt":"2022-11-15T15:51:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/when-the-visually-impaired-became-guides-inside-the-world-of-the-blind"},"modified":"2022-11-15T16:27:51","modified_gmt":"2022-11-15T16:27:51","slug":"when-the-visually-impaired-became-guides-inside-the-world-of-the-blind","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/photo\/when-the-visually-impaired-became-guides-inside-the-world-of-the-blind","title":{"rendered":"When the visually impaired became guides: Inside the world of the blind"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>\u201cJoin us for a night in the dark,\u201d the invitation from MTN Rwanda read in part. \u201c…to raise awareness and funds in support of the Rwanda National Union of the Blind.\u201d<\/p>\n

So, I anticipated some degree of darkness to manifest there \u2013 in one way or another.<\/p>\n

And, so when I headed to Marriott on Wednesday evening, I knew this was likely going to be a special event, designed for a special cause.
\nYet, nothing could have prepared me for the humbling experience that would unfold.<\/p>\n

When I first arrived the place was fully lit and all you could imagine likely to happen was someone flicking the lights off for a moment to help us appreciate what visually impaired people go through.<\/p>\n

How wrong I was!<\/p>\n

Neither the wording on the invitation nor the informal cocktail-style gathering for something that was meant to be formal dinner could spoil the surprise element.
\nSo, questions like, \u2018was I probably too late to the party?\u2019 kept popping up in my head as I curiously networked and sipped at it.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, a cheerful Alain Numa started microphone testing.<\/p>\n

Then, he talks of black blindfolds. And the room behind. And the white cane. And we were all supposed to be in the mix.<\/p>\n

Before long he started calling invitees to be ushered into the \u2018dark room\u2019, with Ozonnia Ojielo, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Rwanda, leading the way. One by one, you\u2019d receive your white cane, get blindfolded and then you\u2019d make your way to the other side.<\/p>\n

And there were enough blindfolds and canes to go round.<\/p>\n

I was among those at the tail end of the queue.<\/p>\n

Behind the blindfold, I stared into darkness blankly, blinked once-twice and then just closed my eyes altogether. I felt vulnerable and lonely. Like the world had ground to a halt. This, even with the knowledge that I was not alone, and that it was for just a blink of a moment. Or so I believed.
\nTactically bent over, I staggered on for a minute or so to what I believe was the entrance (only about six metres away, including negotiating a corner) where I was welcomed by \u2018a facilitator\u2019. My \u2018facilitator\u2019 asked me to follow his voice as he led me to my seat, blindfolded. He\u2019d warn me whenever we were taking a turn through tables.<\/p>\n

Honestly, it got me a little nervous. A voice in my head kept telling me \u2018everyone is watching, waiting to see you make a fool of yourself.\u2019 There were of course no manholes, no staircase to climb or descend, no random objects strewn about, no trees, no poles, no uneven terrain (all of which define the everyday experience of those who live with visual impairment), and yet the short distance drove me to the edge.<\/p>\n

At some point, I found myself literally walking like a chameleon, only at a snail\u2019s pace. I even forgot that I had the white cane to give me a sense of direction. Neither was I trusting my guide, who I thought was sighted and was possibly quietly taking pleasure in my little misery.<\/p>\n

Finally, somehow I manage to make use of the cane again. A table here, a chair there, someone\u2019s leg or two, I do everything I can to keep my distance and avoid trouble with \u2018the world of the sighted\u2019.
\n\u201cTo your right sir, there is your table,\u201d my \u2018facilitator\u2019 says to me. Oh, how liberating that was! Yet, I still nearly find myself in the situation I dreaded when I try to sit without pulling the chair away from the table! \u201cWhew,\u201d I breathe, heavily. It felt like a miracle, an accomplishment.<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone, please don\u2019t remove your blindfolds yet,\u201d said Mugisha, our \u2018dark room\u2019 emcee I later find to be visually impaired. That\u2019s when I learn that everyone was actually minding their business behind the thick eye masks, and that my supportive \u2018facilitator\u2019 is actually visually impaired. How did he confidently guide my steps to my seat, safely? I ask myself.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want you to use other senses to make up for not being able to see,\u201d Mugisha, who kept navigating through the tables, said. His advice somewhat calmed us down and got us more focused. When the Guest of Honour made her way to the room and greeted us, I knew who she was \u2013 so were many others.<\/p>\n

As I expressionlessly sat there, I could only imagine how difficult it is for someone with visual impairment (90% of those in Rwanda have no white cane to use) to get on with life in a world full of indifferent, self-serving, hawk-eyed people.<\/p>\n

Still, that was not the most humbling segment of the evening.<\/p>\n

Too much Isombe, African eggplant…and one notable exception<\/p>\n

That moment arrived at dinner time. Yes, you had to walk over to the self-service area \u2013 blindfolded and with your cane firmly in your hands \u2013 and serve yourself.
\nThankfully, our \u2018facilitators\u2019 (all members of Rwanda Union of the Blind) were on hand to lead us through the exercise.<\/p>\n

Our Guest of Honour \u2013 who equally went through the whole experience \u2013 would later send us into rib-cracking laughter when she revealed that someone had told her that she had served \u201ctoo much Isombe\u201d \u2013 which she had not intended.<\/p>\n

And, my neighbour was grumbling behind her blindfold that her meal was literally made of the African eggplant, clearly not one of her favourite foods.Another one told me she had her plate upside down when she started serving.<\/p>\n

Of course, there are always a few exceptions. My old friend and OB George, who sat across from me at the table and who I believe was not cheating, had his plate virtually clean by the time we were finally allowed to remove our blindfolds.<\/p>\n

After all, he was one of those Baseniors back at our Lycee de Kigali days!<\/p>\n

\u201cTrust\u201d is what \u201cPaula Ingabire, the youthful Minister of ICT and Innovation, would later reveal was one of her key learnings from the experience. \u201cOur visually impaired compatriots have trust in us that we can give them the best support possible to cope with the challenges they face every day.\u201d
\nThat evening the tables had turned.<\/p>\n

For two long hours or so, we put our trust in our inspirational and resilient \u2018facilitators\u2019, who did not put a foot wrong to make us feel as comfortable as possible.<\/p>\n

Together, we can make a difference<\/p>\n

The event wound up with a fundraiser segment during which a few hundreds of white canes were raised.<\/p>\n

In a country where at least 57,000 people are visually impaired, there is a need to make the white cane a tool accessible by everyone who needs it. We can do much better as a people to help those among us who are unfortunate to live with permanent blindness live as much a comfortable life as possible. Of course, it is unacceptable that there is not a single local store that deals in white canes.
\n\u201cIt is a medical tool,\u201d underscored the charismatic, well-spoken Donatile Kanimba, the executive director of Rwanda Union of the Blind, appealing for health insurance cover for the white cane. \u201cYou can help make a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a rallying call that resonates with the \u2018leave no one behind\u2019 principle, which has long informed the Government of Rwanda\u2019s pro-people policies. Incidentally, \u2018leave no one behind\u2019 is also the slogan for MTN Rwanda\u2019s Twese initiative, which should inspire us all to act \u2013 each in our own small way \u2013 and help normalise use of the white cane.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s overwhelming,\u201d said Mapula Bodibe, the chief executive of MTN Rwanda, as she reflected on the blindfolded experience. The evening reinforced the fact that blindness is an overwhelming lifelong experience. Yet, together, we can make it a little more manageable for those who permanently live in the world of darkness.<\/p>\n\r\n