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CBM continues to practice as well as promote inclusion – in 2010 the number of national staff in CBM’s offices who have a disability went up by 12%

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A home, a family, and a future

: © CBM
Vincent, happily integrated in his new school

Vincent, from Uganda, was once almost blind, having had cataracts in both eyes. In May 2009, as a young child, he had surgery supported by CBM at Mengo Eye Hospital in Kampala. He is an orphan, being looked after by his Aunt Milly.

One year later, in March 2010, the team from CBM and CoRSU (Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services for Uganda) take up Vincent's story again. It shows us his struggle to find a suitable school and to get used to using glasses and a bicycle. He inspires others on his journeys and finally he realises he has a true home and a good future.

Going to a new school

©CBM: Vincent at his new school for registration with his Aunt Milly

Vincent used to go to the school in his village, but it was very small and poorly equipped (the building was previously a shop). As a school, it was closed by the authorities at the end of January because of poor hygiene and a lack of teachers.

In March 2010 Agnes Nabawanuka (the CBR staff member from CBM-partner 'CoRSU' responsible for Vincent) looked for another school. She knew that Vincent definitely needed to continue with his education – especially after his successful cataract surgery.

She found one seven kilometres from his home, and Vincent was happy going there. "I especially like my mother tongue Luganda and maths."

Tough Vincent gets new bike

©CBM: Vincent with (from left to right) CBR worker Agnes, cousin Letitia, cousin Peter and Aunt Milly

Because the school was so far from home, getting there was an issue.

Agnes said "That boy is tough, but we bought him a pair of shoes and socks for school." Then she frowned. "Only later we found out that that Vincent did not have to walk to school usually. He was one of the lucky ones who was taken to school on a bike!" (A girl from a higher grade, living close to Vincent, was giving him a ride on her carrier on most days.)

But only three of the children travelling to this school had a bike, and seven kilometres is a lot for an eight-year-old twice a day. So, CoRSU then decided to give Vincent a bike of his own. It was a man’s bike - still a bit big - but it is easy to get spare parts for this kind of bike in his area and the plan was for his uncle to take him as passenger.

School is important

©CBM: Vincent in his classroom at his primary school. CBR worker Agnes Nabawanuka from CoRSU Hospital (right) is visiting him at school to check how he is coping. Vincent is showing her and the teacher Grace (left), what he has learnt - and how he can see now.

Vincent's Aunt Milly was very grateful that Vincent was able to go to school again.

"School is important. When he was still blind he could not do anything on his own. He needed to be accompanied at all times.

"Now he is an independent boy, gets to school and back on his own. And he helps with the household, fetches water, sweeps the grounds and washes the dishes!"

But school had not been without it's difficulties. Vincent had been confused by his glasses (bifocals) and unable to use them outside of school hours because his teachers locked them away.

Strong advice and new glasses ordered!

©CBM: Vincent, with low vision therapist Mr. Bernhard, during a further follow check up at the low vision department of Mengo Hospital

In May 2010 Vincent returned to CBM-partner Mengo Hospital Eye Clinic for a follow-up appointment, including eyesight tests.

Mr. Bernhard, the visual therapist, said he was used to stories like Vincent's, where children were not allowed unlimited access to their glasses.

"All people involved need to understand that the glasses now belong to Vincent", he said. "Everyone has to take care on a daily basis that he wears them".

The tests showed that Vincent's sight had improved, and the boy agreed, saying that he could now see the smiling faces of Peter and Letitia, his cousins, or Aunt Milly’s dress, the ripple of the water from their well in their village, the fields and the trees.

Mr Bernhard looked at Vincent's glasses and declared them much too small. Luckily they had just received a delivery of new frames. He fished out one, with large oval spaces for the glasses, similar to the ones Vincent has been wearing so far, just larger and decorated with some coloured dots. Vincent nodded and gives Agnes a big smile - immediate approval!

A perfect fit

©CBM: Vincent getting his new pair of glasses from optometrist Sam Wambuzi (CoRSU CBR worker Agnes is sitting behind)

Four weeks later, in June, Vincent and his family returned to the hospital. Sam Wambuzi, the optometrist, gave the new glasses their final polish then carefully placed them Vincent’s nose.

"They fit perfectly", he declared, "However, Vincent will not be able to see completely with these new glasses. He will still need an additional telescope, which will enlarge things, allowing him to recognise letters and items more easily, for example the writing on the blackboard at school."

Vincent already knew about the telescope. He had had one before. In the end Mr. Wambuzi also gave him a new case for his glasses.

Vincent was very happy about his new pair of glasses and together with Agnes he marvelled at them in the mirror.

"You should wear these all the time now – at school and at home", Agnes made clear to him, sternly.

Another change of school

©CBM: Vincent changes school again - here together with his new class teacher Juliet (left) and Agnes

When the CBM CoRSU team returned to visit Vincent three months later in September, there was lots of news.

He been attending his old village school again. Apparently, the school seven kilometres away was just an 'interim' solution.

But Aunt Milly was not happy with this. She wanted the best possible education for her nephew and she didn't feel this would be in the village school. And Agnes agreed, pointing out:

"It is not good for Vincent to constantly change schools. But if he wants good results and if we want him to be fully integrated, we need a school that he can visit from grade one to seven – and which he will be able to reach regularly without so many problems."

There were two possibilities, a private or a state run school. After much discussion, the latter was chosen as it is closer, less likely to close and - very important for Vincent's family - more affordable. In any case, 'private' schools in Uganda do not guarantee better education.

Vincent's new school is on a hill. From afar, grey flat buildings with rusty tin roofs can be seen, and children's voices heard singing. The school has more than 700 pupils from primary one to seven, and 12 teachers. One teacher has had an extra education for working with children with disabilities.

Broken glasses lead to chance meetings!

©CBM: Vincent meets Henry

During the September visit, Vincent was delighted to see Agnes again. Agnes was happy too, but she did not stay this way for long; his nice new glasses which he had received from Mengo Eye Department not long before were damaged.

"How could this happen?", Agnes asked. Vincent looked down, concerned.

"I don’t know, during playing, I guess", he replied. "I just like to play...", he continued. Then, a little mischievously, he added, "But the glasses broke really easily..."

But, because Vincent's glasses were damaged, he had to make a return trip to Mengo Eye Hospital. But this led to two chance encounters.

Firstly, walking along the corridor he met CBM ophthalmologist Dr Irmela Erdmann, the one who did his surgery in 2009. 'Dr Irmela' as she is called here spontaneously took some time to talk to Vincent and to examine his eyes. She was quite satisfied with the development.

Shortly after that, Vincent met Henry. Henry is five years old and has cataract, just like Vincent used to have. His surgery was due on the following day and as chance would have it he was sleeping in the same bed as Vincent did back then.

The boys had never met before, and even though they did not really talk to each other and will probably never meet again, Vincent smiled at Henry kindly again and again. It seemed he wanted to encourage him. Little Henry will be able to see again - Vincent knew that.

Cycling and playing joyfully - thank you Mengo and CoRSU

©CBM: Vincent (right) playing with his cousin Henry

In February 2011 the team returned to see Vincent one more time and there was lots of good news.

Vincent could now ride a bicycle, all on his own! Aunt Milly and Uncle John told us that they had practiced with Vincent regularly, and it had paid off. Vincent grabbed the bike which he received from CoRSU - the full-sized man's bike - climbed onto it and rode around proudly! It was still too big for him, but that was no problem - he rode it in quite a clever way, by putting one leg through to the other side below the bar! It looked a bit strange, and maybe was not be the most comfortable position – but it was good enough and he sped away!

Vincent was obviously content within his family. He was playing happily with his cousins, Peter and Letitia, with an old bicycle tyre. Before the cataract surgery he could never play as joyfully as this. He would not have been able to see where he was running, let alone where the tyre was going. Nowadays he also plays an important part in helping with the household.

"He cleans the dishes, he fetches water from the well, cleans the compound and the toilet, he feeds our new pig and also sometimes helps out in the garden. And I can send him on some errands with the bike. That would not have been possible in earlier days", Milly said happily. And she added, "We are very grateful for everything they have done for us at Mengo Hospital. We thank CBM and especially Agnes from CoRSU, who has always been there for us."

New life

©CBM: Vincent, with his new cousin Agnes on his lap (Vincent was allowed to choose her name, and named her after his CoRSU CBR worker)

Speaking of Agnes, there was more good news. A few months previously Aunt Milly had given birth to another cousin of Vincent, in a small local clinic.

Vincent was delighted, especially because he was given the honour of choosing the name for the baby girl - a beautiful way for Aunt Milly to show him that he completely belongs in their family.

And which name did he choose? Agnes!

"I wanted her to carry the same name as the auntie from CoRSU who helped me so much”, he said, with a shy smile.

CBR field worker Agnes laughed. First she embraced Vincent, then she took little Agnes into her arms. Vincent cares for his little cousin in a touching and loving way. When he holds her it looks as if the big brother is protecting his little sister – and he does not seem to want to let her go.

A future full of promise

As far as education is concerned Vincent has coped well, despite changing school twice in the last year.

We watched him sitting in the shade of the kitchen hut reading in an English school book. CBR field worker Agnes pointed at illustrations in the book and Vincent read out loud what was written below.

"That’s a bike, that’s an aeroplane" ...

Agnes was pleased. Cousin Peter who had started going to pre-school at the beginning of the year joined them and read some of the words, too.

"School is important”, Aunt Milly says. Uncle John, who is just cutting a jack fruit and giving pieces to the children, nodded his head. He too, will continue his education this year (senior 4) – in a place quite some distance away. Then he will stay with an acquaintance again as the way would be too long to cover every day. And he will only come home at some weekends like last year.

We are curious how Vincent will progress. We do have some real hope. He is going to continue to go to the follow check-ups at Mengo Eye Hospital in his school holidays. The colleagues there will check on his eyes.

Vincent already practices for that while moving his finger along the big letters on the door of our car.

"C-o-R-S-U" he read out loud.

Considering that this boy was almost blind not long ago, that he used to be lonely and excluded, then watching him today, how he manages his daily life independently and mostly happy - being able to go to school, to play with other children and to help at home - you realise that his story is simply a miracle.