Have you ever thought about what it would be like to not be able to see? To wake up each morning without the ability to witness the beauty of the world around you? For many people who are visually impaired, this is their reality. But what if I told you that there is an organization that believes that not being able to see does not mean not being able to work? Meet Seeing Hands Rwanda.
Seeing Hands Rwanda is an incredible organization that is changing lives one massage at a time. They believe that people who are visually impaired are just as capable of working as those without.
That’s why they have developed a training program that teaches people who are visually impaired how to give massages and technology as well.
This may seem like a small thing, but it’s actually life-changing. In Rwanda, people with disabilities face significant discrimination and barriers to employment. But Seeing Hands Rwanda is working to change that.
By teaching these people a valuable skill, they are giving them the opportunity to earn a living, support themselves and their families, and contribute to their communities.
The company was first established in 2017 by Beth Gatonye after seeing that women with disabilities do not have access to many opportunities.
She had a goal to help the women and men in her community. It is still a surprising fact for the people who visit their place of work in Kacyiru, near the former Gasabo district to see how they manage to give massages.
The Operations Manager, Serge Niyonkuru, says that their organization is breaking barriers, in many ways and that they are starting to earn alot of recognition.
They currently have five employees and more than 20 others who are receiving trainings. Iyamuremye said that this organization has a lot of meaning on their lives.
He said, “The name of this organization means people who join hands in the journey of growth. It is like saying you should be your neighbor’s eye.”
They currently have five employees and more than 20 others who are receiving massage training. Iyamuremye said that this organization has a lot to say about their lives.
He said, “The name of this organization means people who join hands in the journey of development. It is like saying that one should keep an eye on one’s neighbor.
Many in society can sometimes feel that some people with disabilities have more than they can achieve. But Seeing Hands Rwanda continues to show that it is false.
Iyamuremye said that they get a lot of clientele and that it is proof itself that they are able and should not be doubted. In addition to getting regular customers in Rwanda, this organization also takes advantage of tourism in Rwanda and gains foreign clients.
He said, “We have many customers, there are also people who are curious to see how we work and become customers like that. When the days are good we can earn about 100,000 Frw a day.”
He continued, “When Rwanda has many tourists, our daily income may exceed that amount.”
Although they are good at what they do, this profession Iyamuremye says is difficult. He said that sometimes it is difficult to get comfortable with massage clients because they cannot see them. Even the customers themselves don’t easily get comfortable.
But this does not stop them from continuing to put in effort and find different ways to show people through social media that they can do their job well and not harm anyone.
Iyamuremye says that there are still difficulties they face, including people’s perception that they can’t do anything if they can’t see. Many people are still skeptical.
He said, “There are people who feel that a person with a disability can’t do anything because of the disability and you will find customers are also still skeptical. If there is one thing I can say to them is, ‘Come and see what we can do’.”
Their massage therapists are trained to use their sense of touch to detect and relieve tension in the body. And because they are visually impaired, they are able to focus entirely on the task at hand, without any distractions. This means that their clients receive massages that are not only effective but deeply relaxing and rejuvenating.
But Seeing Hands Rwanda is about more than just massages. They are about empowerment, independence, and dignity. By providing training and employment opportunities for people who are visually impaired, they are helping to break down stereotypes and stigmas that can prevent people from living their best lives.
They are showing that people who are visually impaired are just as valuable and capable as anyone else.
And the impact of their work is clear. Seeing Hands Rwanda is training dozens of massage therapists but they are also inspiring others with disabilities to believe in themselves and their abilities.
Seeing Hands Rwanda is a true testament to the power of human potential. They are showing that with the right training and support, people who are visually impaired can do anything they set their minds to. They are changing lives, one massage at a time. And they are doing it with passion, dedication, and a deep belief in the value of every human being.