The Kilimanjaro Blind Trust, with its partners, has been setting up an integrated approach of providing new Braille machines to institutions where there are not enough for each blind student to have his or her own machine. The Trust has also run training programs to prepare more repair people so that a machine can be repaired closer to home and more quickly. In each of our three target countries we have set up a Spare Parts Depot, a central place where repair people can get spare parts that will always be in stock

KBT founders Paul and Kim Polman visited Nairobi in August 2009 to meet one of KBT's partners, the African Braille Center, and to reunite with Douglas S (who was blinded in the Nairobi American Embassy bombing) and his trusty helper, Joash Aswani, who together climbed Kilimanjaro in 2005 and completed the entire Tour d’Afrique on a tandem bicycle in 2008. Paul and Kim met them to help officially open the Spare Parts Depot for Kenya, where machines can also be repaired. For the occasion, the African Braille Center gathered together advocates for the visually impaired - students whose schools will benefit, blind athletes from Nairobi, blind students from Kenyatta University who are mentoring younger blind children and who are becoming advocates for the visually impaired, Braille repair people, and journalists from various media.

Kim notes that "it was satisfying for us to meet the people in our partner organizations working to support the blind and visually impaired who also came to the festivities, and who are gradually developing to lead full, independent, satisfying and meaningful lives, thus fulfilling the goals of the Kilimanjaro Blind Trust. We have complete confidence that the African Braille Center can carry out the work effectively and efficiently."

Labels: Efforts, Perkins Brailler

Thanks to funding from the Kilimanjaro Blind Trust, the African Braille Centre has been able to train staff at area schools to undertake minor Brailler maintenance and repairs.

“Children in school will not have to go for days without accessing their Brailler due to minor defects. The blind children will be able to learn side by side with their sighted peers and using a ‘pen’ that is equally reliable,” said ABC Production/ Development Manager Kiprotich Juma.

Kiprotich explained that when children who are blind take examinations, it is impossible to share Braillers. He further reckons that, what blind children need is to be given equal opportunity so they may perform well in class and during examination.

Kiprotich explained that when children who are blind take examinations, it is impossible to share Braillers and this can make it harder for teachers to keep up with curriculum goals.

“Education is the key to a better future life and this will not be possible without braille literacy for a blind person,” Kiprotich said.

Braille literacy, Kiprotich said, permits greater independence for children who are blind when they go on to college and careers. For instance by knowing braille, individuals who are blind can give presentations or speeches without memorizing the content, and they can take notes for future reference.

By supporting braille instruction programs and providing Perkins Braillers® to those in need, Perkins, the Kiliminjaro Blind Trust, and the African Braille Centre are creating new possibilities for children who are blind in East Africa.

Labels: Education, Perkins Brailler

The latest issue of Perkins' Newsletter "Perkins Insight" highlighted some of their international work, including efforts by the KBT. Here's what it said:

The Kilimanjaro Blind Trust began with an incredible mission when 27
climbers -- eight of them blind -- set out to reach the
summit of Mt. Kiliminjaro.

Before and after the 7-day expedition, climbers visited schools in the
region and became inspired to develop a trust that would improve the
lives and opportunities of children who are blind in East Africa.

The Kiliminjaro Blind Trust supports programs operated by Perkins that
teach braille literacy, distribute and repair Perkins Braillers®, and
train teachers to work with students who are blind in Tanzania,
Uganda, and Kenya.

To date, nearly 600 Perkins Braillers® have been repaired, allowing
more children to learn to read and write independently.

Learn more on our website.
http://support.perkins.org/site/R?i=_ZYeHyHicfXnn5Kuujt9mw..

Labels: Perkins Alliance, Perkins Brailler, Press

Perkins recently released an updated version of the new Perkins Brailler. KBT has already provided funding to help distribute the new Braillers all over Africa...

Labels: Perkins Brailler