Lukas Gerhards is a university student from Germany studying special needs education. He is currently interning with Dialogue in Dark (DID) – Rwanda. Having worked behind the scenes at DID, here he shares his experience of attending his first Dialogue in the Dark workshop at the Umubano Hotel, Kigali in November 2015 and how it has changed his perception of visual impairment.
Dialogue In the Dark was a wonderful and precious experience for me. Not only did learn a lot about the ability of blind and visually impaired people, I also found a new perspective which improved my own perception of disability in general. However despite working for DiD I was a little nervous as I knew that I would be led into a completely dark room where blind facilitators would ask me to do a number of tasks – but nothing more. When I arrived I saw many other participants. They all looked a little like me; nervous but excited.
Before we started, a guide explained what was going to happen in the workshop and assured us that there was nothing to be afraid of. We were then handed a white cane (which is used to help visually impaired people with mobility), which was to be our new best friend for the next 3 hours. We also had to hand in our mobile phones to ensure the workshop was completely dark.
As we entered the ‘dark’, it was hard to find a good place to stand and handle the white cane whilst not bumping into other participants. We had to count from one to three to find a table to sit. My table was only a few metres away, but it felt far as I could only find my way thanks to the voice of one visually impaired facilitator standing nearby. It was amazing how much I and the other participants struggled to move in the dark, while the facilitators were walking quickly around the room without any problems.
Once we all found our seats, a series of group tasks were started. I won’t reveal what the tasks were. However by temporarily losing our sight, the tasks were almost impossible to fulfill. I was not alone in finding them difficult but we all worked together to help each one other. We connected as a group, although I had no idea who was sitting with me on a table. I got to know the people only by their voice.
When we completed the tasks, the lights were switched back on and I had no Idea how long I’d been in the room. I also lost my sense of time; it could have been three hours or 20 minutes. I also saw the people I’ve been working with for the first time. It was a funny moment, because everyone was thinking: “Oh, that’s who he or she are.” The group shared their experience in the dark in a special debriefing. It seems like the darkness is different to everyone. To me it was fascinating to have a look into the world of blind and visually impaired people. I learnt that they are able to do the tasks I’d been struggling with, which changed my view of disability. I realized that we must all focus on ability.
I really encourage everyone to take part in Dialogue in the Dark if you get the chance. It’s eye opening!
Jean Bosco Mugiraneza tells his story about becoming a Dialogue in the Dark facilitator. He is 30 years old and is from Nyamata sector in Bugesera district. He lives with his wife and daughter.
I was born sighted and attended primary and secondary school. I lost my sight when I was in senior 5 due to disease. I went to different hospitals, but I couldn’t get any help or assistance. It wasn’t easy for me and my family because it was like a curse. I felt hopeless and I didn’t have any will to live. I spent more than 6 months hiding without leaving the house.
One day, my relatives suggested going to a rehabilitation center to learn Braille and other means of communication. Thanks to Rwanda Union of the Blind, political will and support from my family, I attended the Masaka Resource Centre for the Blind, where I learned Braille and how to use the computer. These really helped me to continue my studies. I feel that my greatest achievement is completing my studies especially to University level. Now I’m working for the Rwanda Education Board as a trainer for teachers. I’m a school based mentor in English and pedagogical issues.
I was introduced to Dialogue in the Dark whilst at University and was lucky enough to meet the founder, Andreas Heinecke. He explained more about the concept and I was surprised to learn about how people reacted and responded to their experience in the dark.
I decided to get involved with Dialogue in the Dark as it is a great way to advocate for the rights and showcase the capabilities of blind people. I applied for the interview, then took part in different tests and exams and finally succeeded. I am really proud to have a job as the lead facilitator at Dialogue in the Dark. It is great to work many visually impaired people there.
Since joining Dialogue in the Dark, I have learnt a lot of things, such as team work, public speaking, time management, coordination and cooperation. I even learnt how I can cooperate with sighted persons – something I didn’t think was possible. Also, it has also shown me the importance of self-acceptance and to accept who I am.
Once you’re not afraid, once you try, that’s where you see if you are able or not. Rather trying, than not trying. So, I learned to have objectives. Once you have objectives, you can achieve them. Disability is not inability.
I was happy to see that my family reacted positively to me being involved in Dialogue in the Dark because it was another income and another opportunity to contribute and advocate for my rights.
In the future, I really hope to become a good trainer of sighted persons for an inclusive society. I want to find a way to live together and help each other, people contributing towards the development of society in general.
Members of the Disability Coordination Forum
Five Dialogue in Dialogue facilitators were amongst 26 visually impaired university graduates who were awarded a laptop by UNESCO to support their transition into employment. The laptops have specialist screen reading software installed, which enables persons with visual impairment to use the computer.
The graduates were chosen by National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) as they recently finished their degree at university. During their studies, they were able to use the computers of their institutions but needed a computer after graduating to help them into work. The laptops were distributed at the Disability Coordination Forum meeting.
Leonidas Ndayisaba, facilitator at Dialogue in the Dark Rwanda, said.
“I had a lot of challenges because of not owning a laptop, the bosses of different institutions rejected my applications for jobs as they thought I wouldn’t be able to do the work without a computer. The new laptop will help me a lot finding new opportunities. Thanks!
I am also very happy to receive the laptop as a member of Dialogue in the Dark Rwanda. It will be useful to improve communication with my colleagues.”
Congratulations to Byiringiro Mucyurabuhoro, Leonidas Ndayisaba, Mathusalem Nshimyumuremyi, Chantal Ntawiha and Severin Ingabire.
96% of people who attended the latest Dialogue in the Dark workshops in June in Kigali would recommend the experience to colleagues, friends and family. The popular workshops saw over 350 people take part, including members of Parliament, champions of the Rwandan public private dialogue, the Technical, Vocational Education and Training sector and different organizations advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities, in 20 workshops over a 10 day period.
The workshops see participants taken through a series of activities and challenges by a visually impaired guide in complete darkness. This is the third time that the Dialogue in the Dark workshops have been run in Rwanda, at the Umubano Hotel in Kigali.
Feedback from the latest round of workshops has been very positive:
“I have underestimated my other senses, not only but hearing can definitely facilitate my orientation!”
“Dialogue in the Dark was an eye-opener for me! I’ve learned a lot, such as team work, communication and also how disability can be overcome! It was an amazing experience.” – Participants from the National Paralympic committee
This series of workshops were run for the first time without support from Dialogue Social Enterprise from Germany as Dialogue in the Dark seeks to become an independent business
. GIZ Eco Emploi and CBM currently provide technical and financial support as the initiative becomes more and more established in Rwanda.
Perceptions of visual impairment are starting to change thanks to a weeklong demonstration event of Dialogue in the Dark workshops in Rwanda.
Participants spent two hours going through a series of team challenges in complete darkness with the assistance of visually impaired/blind trainers. As the workshop unfolded, more challenges surfaced, testing and stimulating the participant to be increasingly innovative and imaginative. In the process, participants moved out of their comfort zones and began to explore their undiscovered leadership, communication, organizational and crisis-management skills.
Many of the participants said it was not easy to walk or drink in the dark, but through the guidance of the visually-impaired facilitators and working together as a team with strong communication, they managed to complete their activities. The loss – even though temporary – of the key sense of sight, has an intense and long-lasting emotional impact on individuals and groups.
This initiative is important as visually impaired people experience high levels of poverty and isolation in Rwanda. The workshop serves as a reminder of how everyone can participate, regardless of whether they have an impairment.
It is also an important income generating initiative for persons with disabilities, providing employment and skills training. The workshops were run by National Union of the Disabilities’ Organizations of Rwanda (NUDOR) in cooperation with National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) in October 2014. The next step of the Dialogue in the Dark initiative is to set up a permanent centre and social entreprise so workshops can be held on a regular basis.
The NUDOR Executive Secretary said,
‘This project is divided in two parts: changing the mindset of the community, and creating job opportunities for people with visual impairment. We want to senzitinze the community about visual impairment. The next step will be to establish a permanent Dialogue in the Dark centre. I would particularly like to thank CBM, Dialogue Social Enterprise, GIZ for their support in setting up the workshop.’
The Executive Secretary of National Council of Persons with Disabilities said,
‘This project will help us in terms of job opportunity for people with disabilities especially those with visually impairments.’
The National Union of Disabilities’ Organisations of Rwanda thanks the Dialogue Social Enterprise, the National Council of Persons with Disabilities for their partnership and GIZ and CBM for their financial support to promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities. You can follow the progress of Dialogue in the Dark Rwanda on Facebook.
