DILI, 09 august 2022 (TATOLI) – Interim Director of the East Timor Blind Union (ETBU), Orlando Tilman Nunes, said Civil Society Support Services and Social Audit (CSSSSA) has donated US$15,000 to ETBU to run a non-formal education program on the braille training program for 30 blind people in the municipality of Maliana.
“I have received a US$15,000 donation from CSSSSA, to provide training for blind people, the budget will be used to pay the salaries of the two teachers for three months from August 15 to November 15, 2022, and support the operational costs of ETBU in non-formal education programs,” Nunes told TATOLI at his office, Becora, Dili, Tuesday.
Nunes considered this braille training very crucial saying that many blind people cannot read and write, therefore this braille training is expected to increase the volume of blind people who cannot write and read in Timor – Leste.
“We wish to increase the volume of the blind to be able to read and write, therefore the collaboration between ETBU and CSSSSA aims to facilitate blind people to be able to access all information in Timor – Leste,” he said.
Nunes hopes that the donation from CSSSSA can benefit the visually impaired who are involved in this program.
“ETBU plans to expand this program to all visually impaired in all municipalities, but it will depend on financial support from donors. ETBU in fact hopes that the Government and partners will support funds for ETBU to continue this program in the coming years,”
At the same time, Nunes appreciated the support from CSSSSA to realize their plan.
Based on 2015 national statistics, there are more than 14,128 blind people registered in Timor – Leste, and of 14,128 only 30% have access to education in Timor – Leste.
Journalist : Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Nelia Borges
