Banking with a difference
A novel initiative in Mali is helping blind people trade in cereal, to support themselves and their families.
Project Rehabilitation Kati, in partnership with the Mali Union of the Blind (UMAV) has been running since 1995, and it spans 46 villages in Mali. Its remit is to teach blind and visually impaired people mobility skills, and provide training in things to enable them to earn a living: such as gardening, agriculture, animal farming, fishing and craft techniques. The project also creates support committees for blind people, to make sure they are listened to and involved in the development of their communities.
In 2008, among the activities that came about as the result of these support committees were three cereal banks in the villages of Farabana, Sanankoroba, Tangala. Last year over 10 tonnes of cereal were sent to the banks.
Mamoutou Traore lives in Farabana, and lost his sight ten years ago. “It was a few years ago that I first heard about the concept of grain banks,” he says. “I met a friend from the village past the river who told me all the happiness his people know, especially during the lean period, because of the installation of the bank.
blind people no longer have to worry about feeding our families, we have fixed the problem ourselves!
Thus, during a meeting with UMAV and Sightsavers and the support community, we suggested a cereal bank for the blind. The bank allows us to trade in grain, giving our community a rate cheaper than the general market. It means grain is always available, and priority is given to blind people and their families. This bank has changed our lives, and it means that blind people no longer have to worry about feeding our families, we have fixed the problem ourselves!”
What do you think?