COMBLIND, the blind from Kitchu

The association of the blind people was born thanks to the initiative of one woman, Elisabeth, also blind. She was lucky to obtain education in order to execute several tasks ansd jobs thanks to the funds provided by an international organization.

Elisabeths’ dream was to share her knowlegde and capacities with other blind persons in the area.

The center exists since several years and the same has improved thanks to the economic aid provided by different International Berudep volunteers. There are over a 100 members. Every morning a group of them meets in order to pray, discuss their challenges and sing and dance as this brings them great joy. They also produce beautiful crafts which are sold in order to raise funds for their center, material needed or the doctor. Each of them lives a normal life, being married and having kids while farming their land. The enthusiasm and joy this group reflects is amazingly contagious and a visit to their center will surely impress you.

They manufacture ropes, necklaces, chairs and other crafts in order to sell the same on the market or to visiting tourists. Raw material is expensive and sales are not yet up to the expected level. The group members hardly survive  on this income and the food they obtain from the cultivation of their plot.

A next step is to become economically independent through the set up of a food store in the village and a small poultry farm.

Budget: EUR 11.500,- thanks to Fundación CyO. The implementation of the projects will start in Autumn 2011.