The persons living with disabilities in Torit on Monday celebrated the International White Cane Day, calling on government to build schools for them.
Our Journalist of Radio Emmanuel, Juma Idriss Khemis, attended the celebration at Torit Freedom Square and compiled the following this report.
Persons with disabilities in Torit State on Monday celebrated the International White Cane Day under the theme: ‘Creating awareness on the injustices, unfairness and abuses normally perpetrated against the blind’.
They demand the government to open schools for the blind in the state.
Observing the rights of the disabled will help bridge the gap between them and the able bodied citizens, says Flora Sebit the Deputy Chairperson for Civil Society Organizations in Torit.
Chairperson of the Union Persons Living with Disabilities in Torit Pator William British says educating the blind will make them self-reliant.
Susan Ifuho Guolio who is the chairperson for South Sudan Association of Visual Impaired in Torit reminds the government on the need to open for them school.
Torit Minister for Gender, Child and Social Welfare Hongejuk Vitale says the total number of persons registered with special needs in the state is enough to start a school.
He pledges to meet the State Minister for Physical Infrastructure to ensure that land is allocated for the school.
John Savio Otwor, State Minister of Physical Infrastructure calls on persons with special needs to be determined in the fight for their rights.
Angela Achiro Onorio, chairperson for Gender, Child and Social Development in Torit Legislative Assembly says the government has earlier tasked concerned ministries to open a school for the blind.
She also calls on persons with disabilities to always advocate for their rights.
The White Cane is a walking stick, white in color with red strips around – invented by Mare Mourer a young American blind man in 1978 to help the blind safely move.