KOICA Lives To Its Billing Of Support To Uganda
Uganda National Association Of The Blind Benefits
Korea Fulfills Promise
Siloam Centre for the Blind in Korea delivers Uganda’s first Braille press and opens new library for the blind.
A colourful ceremony at Uganda National Association for the Blind at Kireka, saw attendees who included dignitaries from the Ministry of education delighted by the sight of the new library fully equipped with Braille printers, computers and materials for production of Braille textbooks, all donated by the Republic of Korea.
Park Youngshin the Deputy Country Director of KOICA (Korean International Cooperation Agency) said it was a promise that had to be delivered. “What happened before was that textbooks had to be printed out of Uganda but today Uganda can do the printing itself here.” Adding that the cooperation will continue its support until the intended vision and mission of KOICA Uganda is realised.
The organisation has been relentless in its charity like giving school fees bursaries at entry of senior one up to senior five. The giving doesn’t stop here, after senior four the student is given some capital of UGX 600,000 to aid their transition.
The new printers at UNAB will serve students from primary school, secondary school and other institutions. Printing books on various subjects like history, divinity, literature among others.
Already there are Braille books ready to be sent to specific locations in Uganda for children there. according to UNAB.
The Project for Braille Text book Support and empowering Braille Specialists in Uganda has been funded by KOICA since 2020 and will end in 2022.
Siloam has been implementing the project in cooperation with UNAB in order to improve and offer an inclusive education environment for students with visual impairments in Uganda.
The project has seen Construction of Braille printing infrastructure, Establishment of certification system of Braille transcription and proof reading, and production and distribution of Braille textbooks and tactile learning materials.
Korean Braille transcribers have been training UNAB Braille transcribers and a proofreader online to grow Braille specialists in Uganda. Braille textbooks produced by UNAB staff have been printed in Korea and re-sent to Uganda to be donated to blind students.
Uganda National Association of the Blind is a nonprofit organization that serves more than 7,000 people through a variety of free programs, classes and services at centers and community outreach locations throughout Uganda.
UNAB was established in 1970 as one of the first Disabled Peoples` Organisations (DPOs) in Uganda.
