Sense International has constructed a new deafblind unit at a school in Uganda.
The unit at St Mark VII School for the Deaf in Bwanda was officially opened by the British High Commissioner to Uganda, Martin Shearman, on 11 June 2010.
Sense International aims to establish this new unit, intended for 6 to 16 year old children, to demonstrate to the Ugandan Government the ideal way to provide high quality education for children who are deafblind.
The opening
The opening event featured a parade of local children and was attended by about 150 community members. There were also a number of overseas guests including Richard Brook, Chief Executive of Sense; John Crabtree, Chairman of Sense; Matt Pittman from Penson Worldwide; and Robin Heber Percy, Trustee of Sense International.
Geoffrey Atieli, Regional Director of Sense International (East Africa) said:
“Deafblind children are among the most marginalised and stigmatised of all people in society. In most developing countries, there are scanty services for disabled people, and almost none for deafblind people, meaning that they are often regarded as a burden on society and their own families, neglected and ostracized. What we have achieved today is an incredible achievement we can all be proud of. “
Sense International has created the unit with the support of:
Daughters of Mary, Bwanda – who have provided the space and the land in the school on which the unit now stands. - The Government of Uganda who have provided three teachers for the unit.
- Penson Worldwide, a technology provider to the financial services industry.
- P&O Nedlloyd, a cargo freight company.
- Woodford Foundation, a UK based organisation that supports people with sensory disabilities in developing countries..
Sense International’s work in Uganda and East Africa
Sense International has been working in Uganda since 2005. Today it works with over 200 deafblind children in Uganda, 45 of which are in three schools. It helps to build the bridge between these children and their families.
Sense International estimates the population of deafblind people in Uganda to be 13,000 where people have a severe degree of combined visual and hearing impairment.
Find out more about Sense International's work in East Africa
Find out more about Sense International
