Members of associations and groups representing visually impaired people in Dar es Salaam have expressed their appreciation to the National Housing Corporation (NHC) for its continued support towards improving their lives, following the handover of 100 white canes to two groups of visually impaired people in Ilala and Kinondoni.
The canes were handed over today, September 3, 2026, as part of NHC’s community engagement programme aimed at contributing to the wellbeing of vulnerable and special-needs groups across the country.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, NHC Public Relations Officer B. Yamlihery Ndullah said the Corporation continues to implement its corporate social responsibility policy by ensuring that it gives back to the community through part of the proceeds generated from its activities.
She said the donation was made under the leadership of NHC Director General Hamad Abdallah, with each group receiving 50 white canes to support visually impaired people in carrying out their daily activities.
“Our doors are open. Do not hesitate to approach NHC whenever you have needs, and we will support you according to our capacity and the budget available at the time,” Ndullah said.
VINGUNGUTI
Speaking on behalf of the Nia Njema Wasioona Group in Vingunguti, Ilala District, the group’s Chairman, Khalifa Mahamoud Idd, said the donation was important to members as the canes would make it easier and safer for them to move around and carry out their daily activities.
The group, which operates under the Tanzania League of the Blind (TLB), Ilala District, is engaged in various entrepreneurial activities.
Idd thanked NHC for the support and appealed to the Corporation to also provide assistance that would enable members to become economically self-reliant.
He identified some of their needs as three-wheelers, motorcycles, brick-making machines and juice-extracting machines, which he said could enable them to establish or strengthen production and business activities.
He stressed that visually impaired people also have families, responsibilities and daily needs like other members of society and therefore need empowerment to become self-reliant rather than depending on donations.
“With support and empowerment, we can work and become self-reliant. When people with disabilities are empowered, they can achieve their potential and will not have to depend on others,” he said.
Idd also appealed to NHC to assist the group in obtaining a permanent office, saying it currently operates from a rented office and the cost of rent has become a challenge.
For his part, a member of the group, Shaban, thanked NHC for the donation and appealed to the Corporation to continue supporting them whenever they need further assistance, including replacement canes.
He said white canes are used for a certain period before they become worn out, making continued support necessary to ensure that members in need have access to the important mobility devices.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Ilala Association of the Blind, Chalamanda Mohammed, thanked NHC and called on the community and various institutions to continue supporting people with special needs.
Mohammed said the association had also purchased land in Chanika, Dar es Salaam, which is expected to be used for livestock keeping, farming, brick production and other entrepreneurial activities.
KINONDONI
On the other hand, leaders of the Tanzania League of the Blind (TLB), Dar es Salaam Region, whose offices are located in Kinondoni Manyanya, said the donation would greatly benefit their members.
Speaking on behalf of visually impaired people in Dar es Salaam Region, the association’s Chairman, Paul Zumba, thanked NHC for the support, saying the white canes are important tools in the daily lives of visually impaired people.
He said the canes also help identify visually impaired people as they move around different areas, making it easier for members of the public to recognise them and offer assistance when necessary
According to Zumba, some people with low vision also benefit from the canes because they help them move more safely and identify objects or obstacles in their path.
“These canes help us a lot. When people see us carrying them, they can easily recognise that we have visual impairments and can therefore assist us. They also help us identify objects in front of us and reduce the possibility of accidents,” he said.
He said the use of white canes could help reduce accidents and other risks faced by visually impaired people when navigating roads and environments with various obstacles.
Zumba also expressed his appreciation to NHC Director General Hamad Abdallah for being willing to listen to the needs of visually impaired people and keeping the Corporation’s doors open to them whenever they seek assistance.
He appealed to the Director General to continue supporting them, not only by providing white canes but also through other forms of assistance that could enable visually impaired people to improve their economic wellbeing and lead independent lives.
The leaders jointly stressed that empowering people with disabilities through assistive devices and economic opportunities is essential to building an inclusive society in which everyone has an opportunity to participate fully in development activities.