TOTALLY BLIND IT TECHNICIAN IN TANZANIA

BY SYLIVESTER DOMASA, the guardian. 

27th May 2015

Emmanuel Mhehwa, an IT technician speaks to The Guardian reporter (not in picture) in Dodoma recently.

He would look into your computer or electronic devices seems to be running slower than usual, crashes unexpectedly, or otherwise unstable in need of some basic computer maintenance. Then he would switch it on, inset a disc drive to install the missing software. It’s ok and ready for use.

You may mull over as the ordinary routine of an IT technician. Yes it is. But, what makes it extraordinary is that Emmanuel Mhehwa (32), the lawyer and Information Technology (IT) professional, is totally blind.

Mhehwa who is blind from birth felt his way to be technocrat and explained with a smirk, “I had a keen ear for computers and kept wondering how a blind-man could learn computer. Ideally I concluded it was impossible.”

“But when I was in third year at the University of Dar es Salaam pursuing bachelor degree in law I made a decision--- it’s possible, and I have to do it,” he said.

In 2008, Mhehwa recalls, I assented to learn computer skills. My friends and classmates laughed at me. “I couldn’t care and my love to know more about computer stretched-higher.”

I had to prove that there are many things I can do, besides being blind. Unfortunately I had neither computer nor money to buy one.

I spent 450,000/- out of 550,000/- given by the Higher Education Student’s Loan Board (HESLB) for research attachment to buy a desktop computer.

Although no-body in his family is blind, that doesn’t make him feel he is not luckily exceptional. He says he had to struggle to reach at the point he is now.

“I would spend at least 4 to 5 hours at the night searching the internet. With the help of the technology …computers can now talk, my phone and tablets name all electronic devices.”

Mhehwa put his skill to use as he navigates to our correspondent mobile phone and Ipad. He would write and read a text message (SMS) and send emails. Wire money on the mobile platform to a friend in the village.

He did as many options that an ordinary and physical able person can do. His first computer application to use was a “Thunder screen reader” a free screen reader talking software for blind and visually impaired people.

He has also tried job access with speech (JAWS), the world's most popular screen reader, developed for computer users whose vision loss prevents them from seeing screen content or navigating with a mouse.

At the university, he says he managed to apply the computer. It was a relief to my classmate whom I had turned to be my eyes. I could not read books or teachers assignments as much as possible, I needed a help of someone to read for me.

“But with the computer I can do it by myself … I would only ask the professor to give me soft copy material and reading was made easy!” he noted.

He continued: “Some of my friends couldn’t believe. I become more independent than before.” 

His passion in the field compounded with eager to learn as many applications as possible earned him a certificate of computer application for blind. He later took some online course at Hardly School for Blind–USA to become an IT professional.

While taking his firth year at the University of Dar es Salaam School of Law between 2011 and 2012, Mhehwa had already developed a manual to help blind and sighted.

He was hired as an assistant technology specialist at the Open University of Tanzania to carry out a variety of support and repair functions for network computers, including software installation and hardware maintenance functions within the college technical information systems unit.

"I pretty much figured out technical problems than sighted personnel who would frequently knock on my door for support.”

Mhehwa, a happily father of two was born and raised in Chinangali Village, Kongwa District-Dodoma. He spent his seven years at Buigiri Primary School of visual impaired and sighted pupils.

Then, he joined Mpwapwa Secondary School for secondary education in the early 2000’s and later was admitted at the University of Dar es Salaam to study law.

He is now a CEO of an electronic store offering all software and hardware requirements for people with disabilities.

Luckily, Mhehwa has been working also with a Non Government Organisation–ADD Tanzania dealing with disabled people in the country. The organisation aims to achieve positive and lasting change in the lives of disabled people, especially those living in poverty.

“In the meantime I offer ICT consultations and public training,” he said as he laughs.

His teacher Matilda Ngwira who still teaches at Buigiri Primary School describes Mhehwa as not only and inspiration, but he has shown courage in the face of destitution.

Today, he is much in demand to both sighted and blind having trained at least 90 people as of May this year.

“No one would wish to be an employee all the time,” he smiled “… I plan to have an academic institution to help the disabled and the able ones affected by economic hardships.”

He poked holes among the state-run webs saying most of them do not meet the demand for totally blind people. This remains to be a challenge to all web designers, he said.

Like his hero Stevie Wonder, the musician has never let his lack of sight hold him back. Now he wants the 2008-2017 education for inclusiveness national policy follow the suit and ensures none of a pupil living with disability is speared.

“The policy should capture all forms of disability to make it ring the carrot of inclusive education for all.”

He says, he is excited to train others and adapt to the ability to use mobile application---simply they would be liberated from absolute dependence.

The smart-phones, name it, would help one do a millions without requiring assistance for the sighted person.

He is becoming a celebrity of his own. Mhehwa warns that no success comes by short-cuts, but hardworking.

“I am humbled … I feel humbled; I feel the weight for the need and a burden to do right. People understand what I become, and I have to do something worth of recognition,” he said determined to help others taste the success.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN