Blind Farmers in Uganda: Action on Disability and Development
By Paul Emong, Action on Disability and Development
MDG #1: eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
Development organizations should not have to start from the ground up when planning an inclusive program. There are disability organizations in every country in the world, with project ideas and goals that they are working toward. This article by Paul Emong of Action on Disability and Development (ADD) shows how ADD was able to support an existing organization of blind people to achieve food security and a stable place in their refugee community.
The Teso insurgency in Uganda from 1986 to 1995 displaced many people, including people with disabilities. A group of displaced and resettled blind people in the Soroti district of Uganda formed the Soroti Agricultural and Crafts Association of the Blind (SACAB). With funding and technical assistance from Action on Disability and Development (ADD), the group was able to assure food security through agricultural means. From the initial assistance in 1995, which included two oxen, an ox plough, seeds, and cassava cuttings, the farming work of the SACAB group has grown steadily. By 1998 SACAB had acres of cassava, millet, sorghum, groundnuts (peanuts), cowpeas, and potatoes, as well as a goat-rearing business. Neighbors in the area now purchase such staples from SACAB. This agricultural project run by the SACAB now helps members to pay for school fees for their children.
ADD has also supported capacity building for the association. As a result SACAB has now developed a vocational training program for adults who are blind. Some of the graduates have taken up leadership positions in the local councils in their villages. Local authorities and Sight Savers International took over support for this vocational training.
Contact:
Action on Disability and Development
Vallis House
57 Vallis RoadFrome,
Somerset, BA11 3EG
Tel:+44 (0)1373 473064
Fax: +44 (0)1373 452075
Email: add@add.org.uk
Web: www.add.org.uk
Sight Savers International
United Kingdom Office: Grosvenor Hall
Bolnore Road
Haywards Heath West
Sussex, RH16 4BX
United Kingdom
Telephone number: 44 1444 446600
Fax: 44 1444 446688
Web: www.sightsavers.org.uk
United States Office:Sight Savers International,
Inc.c/o Chapel & York PMB #293601
Pennsylvania Ave NW
Suite 900, South Building
Washington DC 20004
United States
Web: www.sightsavers.org
