What a Cool Shade

“What a cool shade I have got from she providing proper canopy from the blazing sun!”

The eloquence of Komakech Denis’ passage captures the heart of our mission whether it is to protect from destructive elements or cultivate and build on the helping and nurturing ones. Denis finished his A-level in December 2013 and we are awaiting confirmation that he will be granted a full scholarship to Makere University to start the journey to becoming a lawyer in August 2014.

Komakech Denis first lessons on the computer with teacher Marilyn Bland

Having access to a computer can be a real game-changer to a blind or visually-impaired person on so many levels. Being able to type and print one’s schoolwork for submission to a sighted teacher, accessing the internet, “listening” to a vast amount of content whether it is scanned books or downloaded material and even the chance to write an email that is received across the globe can have a big impact.

Denis is 20 years old; he was a peer computer teacher during Holiday trainings for 2 ½ years and the students have always praised his technique. He has started a program at Gulu Primary School to train his former teachers on how to use a computer with JAWS software. Here are some snippets of his reports on how the training is going:
 
 

“The training in Gulu primary school started on the 2nd July with introduction to computer. This included, the meaning of computer, the types of computers, the models of computers, the parts of computer, the hardware’s and software’s which JAWS was one of them and finally, how to care for our computers.”

“I am glad that they are moving well and fast and some knew typing using typewriter so, they are only to get the differences between typewriter and a laptop computer. I am glad that they will do well in the exams which I will set.”

“I am happy and really teachers are very committed and grateful for the opportunity to learn by their product which they did teach some years.” (referring to the fact that their former student is now teaching them).

 

Denis’ efforts are the early groundwork which will lead us to start a program for members of the community, an expansion of our work with the High School students. To help him on his way to college, we have given him his own laptop, a North Face backpack in which to carry it and protect from the weather, a Booksense to record his classes and a telephone handset to stay in touch.

Below is the full essay from which the passage was drawn: