Peter K. Kordieh,  youth from Ghana, beneficiary of AFUB's Knowledge on Democracy and Development Project (KDDP)

African prevalence of blindness is nearly twice the global level. Blind and partially sighted persons are estimated to exceed 28 million. WHO estimates that 400,000 blind youths (less than 15 years old) live in Africa, and more than 700 000 blind people are of the working age. The majority are below the poverty line.

Our youth empowerment project is two-fold: we believe that leadership can only be attained through professional and personal development.

In both the Knowledge on Democracy and Development Project (KDDP) funded by SRF and the Africa Visually Impaired Youth Empowerment Project funded by Sightsavers, our approach has been to combine theoretical skill/knowledge transfer with field assignments and youth-led mini projects. Over 200 visually impaired youth, 50 percent of whom are female, have been reached in 21 African countries.

This year, we will extend the AVIYEP project to Nigeria! In essence, the project goal remains the same, but the approach is different!

YOUTH LEADERS IN ACTION

Florence is now employed with Uganda Society for Disabled Children as an advocacy and lobbying officer.

Abraham has written a book on the need to protect the environment, targeting school communities. Abraham is indeed the first Blind person to pursue a degree in environmental studies in his country.

Fazirah has started a community based project geared towards improving the Livelihood of the Blind persons in her village. “I am convinced that with the knowledge and skills gained during the Knowledge on Democracy and Development Project, this project will succeed.”

Simon, a 2007 KDDP project beneficiary, is now working with the landmine survivor’s project in Northern Uganda. He was recently elected as chairperson of Guru District Association of the Blind for the next four years.

Peter from Ghana attributes the career leap he has made to the transformational training program he attended in Uganda as part of the KDDP project.

Peter and Chomba from Zambia have used the skills gained through the Africa Visually Impaired Youth Empowerment Project and carved out successful careers: Chomba is currently working as a coordinator of a project funded by Sightsavers while Peter has been employed as PR Officer at the Zambia National Library of the Blind. Peter is a talented artist and has recently been featured in a Zambian sop opera!

Download the complete evaluation of the KDDP here