Disability is not inability

1. Blind farmers see a better future
Alex Ekirappa - Chairman, Kenya Union of the Blind, Teso Branch
Eliud Ondara - District Youth Officer, Teso district
John Silanyi - Blind farmer, Koteko village, Teso
Summary
‘Disability is not inability’, says Alex Ekirappa, chairman of the Kenya Union of the Blind in
the western district of Teso. His organisation is now supporting groups of blind farmers who
want an alternative to a life of begging. Working together, and with support from the
government ministries for agriculture and youth, the groups have created successful farming
businesses growing vegetables such as tomatoes, and rearing livestock including pigs and
poultry. The story of how these blind people have overcome their disability is truly inspiring.
Suggested introduction
In most towns in Kenya, the majority of beggars are blind people who depend on well
wishers for their daily bread. Many end up hungry if they are not lucky enough during the
day. But in western Kenya, several groups of blind people are finding a new future, one
where they are earning rather than begging. Geoffrey Onditi reports.
TAPE IN “In Teso district a group of blind …
TAPE OUT … towards persons with disabilities.”
DURATION 5’39”
Suggested closing announcement
Alex Ekirappa, Chairman of the Teso branch of the Kenya Union of the Blind, ending that
report.
For further information
Kenya Union of the Blind - www.kub.or.ke
Blind of sight, not in mind -
www.iwmf.org/archive/articletype/articleview/articleid/1243/monica-mulongoti--blind-of-sight-
not-in-mind.aspx
Making the most of this interview…
This story will probably inspire you to look for local stories about what blind people are
doing to earn an income and be independent. An organisation similar to the Kenya Union
of the Blind could probably give you some useful leads.
October 2010 1 www.agfax.net

2. Blind farmers see a better future
Alex Ekirappa - Chairman, Kenya Union of the Blind, Teso Branch
Eliud Ondara - District Youth Officer, Teso district
John Silanyi - Blind farmer, Koteko village, Teso
Transcript
Onditi In Teso district a group of blind individuals are trying their best to find ways to
support themselves through various farming activities but one wonders how
they are able to overcome the challenges in farming yet they are blind.
Recently I was in Teso District where I met members of the Kenya Union of
the Blind Teso District Branch. First here is their Chairman Alex Ekirappa the
pioneer of this group. He is also blind.
Ekirappa Usually in African culture persons with visual impairment are counted to be
beggars. This is what prompted me to change the perception of these people
in this community. I talked to them, there is nothing that will come in a silver
platter. I told them they have to begin themselves doing something. So this is
why we sat down and reasoned together and finally came up with this position
of farming and keeping livestock because it is the major income generating
activity in this part of the district. For example in Koteko where we are now,
they are growing tomatoes for income generating in their group and they are
also keeping pigs.
Onditi How are they able to do these jobs yet they are blind?
Ekirappa Usually they are able to do it very well because their brains are ok. They are
able to touch and feel what they are doing.
Onditi Normally people who are not physically challenged or who are not blind face
many challenges in terms of marketing their products. As a group how have
you managed to do this?
Ekirappa We have managed by having better rapport with the different businessmen
within our district. We visit them, talk to them and they link us. Even the
Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock are very close to us, we are working
hand in hand. So they also support us by identifying the right markets for us in
this district and outside the district. Equally, the Ministry of Youth Affairs has
been very instrumental in scouting for us different places to sell our goods.
Onditi I also met the District Youth Officer who explained to me how his Ministry is
working together with blind youth to encourage them to engage in
agribusiness.
Ondara Being a disadvantaged category of the youth we are going to give them
priority in terms of allocating these funds. Assist them, train them to identify
businesses that they can invest in, particularly more seriously in agriculture.
And we are talking in terms of pig rearing, horticulture, poultry farming and
being in a region like in western province you know poultry is an indigenous
species being a delicacy. So they can really invest in this business because
there is ready market for that.
Onditi In a village known as Koteko I also met a blind farmer John Silanyi.
October 2010 2 www.agfax.net

3. Silanyi There are several challenges I am facing because by the time when you start
preparing, going to the shamba you have to first find out the position where to
dig and not. So in that case I have to put myself to be acquainted with the
place.
Onditi Do you have any special equipment that you use to, for example till the land?
Silanyi Most of the equipment I am using is just a hoe.
Onditi Just like any other person?
Silanyi Yes I am using just like any other person.
Onditi Then how are you able to, for example, till the land?
Silanyi I have to use my legs because by the time you are tilling you have to know
which places have been dug and also you have to use the hands to feel
whether there is a crop at the head, so that I am able to identify the particular
place where the hoe passes.
Onditi When did you start this kind of work?
Silanyi Individually I started a long time ago but as a group we just started recently.
Onditi What motivated you to join this group?
Silanyi It is because when you are together you are able to contribute the money
maybe to buy the chemicals to spray. And then when you are doing it
together we find the work is easier and also the market of the tomato. We are
able to get market.
Onditi I also asked Alex Ekirappa on the expectations from the farming activities.
Right now we are standing in a tomato farm. For example what are you
expecting from this farm that we are standing in right here?
Ekirappa We are expecting good yield. If the climatic conditions will favour us very well
as it is now, I believe we shall get reasonable amount of money, which will be
expanded to support our members on the ground to do other projects which
they are able to.
Onditi After you get profits how do you share these profits with the members in this
group?
Ekirappa The members who are participating in this particular project, if we get good
proceeds we are able to buy for somebody what he is able to sustain and
what he is able to do. For example, we can buy somebody ten hens which he
is able to rear to help him to generate a source of income, or a goat or even
oxen for ploughing we are able to give somebody. To a few of us we are
already running such micro-projects within our families. Disability is not
inability. We are capable to overcome this, if you take the first step. Because
the journey of a thousand miles begins with a first step. You have to do
something before anybody else comes and supports you.
Onditi Has the perception changed?
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4. Ekirappa To some degree yes. From 100% we can rate Teso to be around 60%
positive attitude towards persons with disabilities. End of track
October 2010 4 www.agfax.net