Visually Impaired Challenge Population To Know Use Of White Cane

The Hope Social Union for the Visually impaired dubbed HSUVI has on October 30, converge on Bamenda at the special need entrepreneur group center with activities  to mark  the world white cane day 2021. This day which is usually celebrated on October 15, but due to the security concerns, it was deviated to october 30.

The white cane is a mobility device that assist persons with visual impairment to move about doing their activities. The white cane is also a symbol of autonomy, freedom, independence, and identity of someone who is visually impaired.

A view of HSUVI members at the S.N.E.G hall, fishpond hill, Bda.

According to the president of Hope Social Union for the Visually impaired (HSUVI) Ngong Peter, the month of October is usually considered as a month of blindness and that is why our celebration to mark the World White Cane Day 2021 edition is still in line. "We carried out a lot of activities, visited so many media organs, went to road junctions, placed posters and banners in strategic places in town to create awareness of the white cane day and it's uses" Ngong Peter said while making it clear to the general public that they do not possess magical powers as some people believe with their assumptions about the white cane. He went further to called on the general public to welcome them and be their friends.

Ngong Peter, President of Hope Social Union for the Visually Impaired.

Nsah Edwin, one of the Visually impaired persons who is the technical adviser number 2 at the coordinating unit of the association of persons with disabilities in Bamenda III subdivision says the Bamenda community is ignorant of the uses of white cane, some knew about the white cane but undermined the value and that is why we encouraged the Visually impaired persons to use the white cane everywhere they go.

Nsah Edwin, member of HSUVI

During the belated celebration of the white cane safety day, the president of HSUVI, Ngong Peter in collaboration with their partners donated the White Cane to some needy members of the union.

Jeff Ngawe, handing white cane to HSUVI member

The hope of the president of HSUVI is for more support so much so that a majority of the needy members have and use the White Cane so that some of their challenges are minimized.

By Kimbi Lionel & Tasi Peter