Kilimanjaro Blind Trust Africa

Last week marked an important milestone for inclusive economic participation in Tanzania.

Kilimanjaro Blind Trust Africa (KBTA), in partnership with SHIVYAWATA and with support from the Mastercard Foundation, celebrated the graduation of the first cohorts of the Employability Skills and Entrepreneurship Skills Training Programs for youth with visual impairments.

Over the past three months, the program focused on equipping youth with visual impairment with adapted ICT skills, workplace readiness, and practical entrepreneurial competencies, critical for transitioning into employment and income-generating activities.

The inaugural cohorts included:

1. 20 graduates, of whom 11 are young women, strengthening their capacity to access employment

2. 15 aspiring entrepreneurs, including 11 young women, prepared to start and grow small businesses

We were honoured by the presence of Dr Mwajuma Hamza, Executive Director of the Tanzania Women Chamber of Commerce (TWCC), who committed to:

🔹 2 internship opportunities for young women

🔹 2 exhibition slots at the Sabasaba Trade Fair in Dar es Salaam (June 30 – July 10)

These outcomes highlight the importance of linking skills development to real opportunities, and the learnings from this first cohort will directly strengthen future cohorts through deeper employer engagement and targeted enterprise support.

As we scale this model, continued collaboration is key. We invite employers and partners to offer internships, employment, and market opportunities.

To engage with this talent pool, please reach out to SHIVYAWATA to access graduate profiles.





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Over the past two weeks, our technical team has been working in Kibos Special School (Kisumu) and Isiolo, advancing access to digital literacy through adapted ICT training in Kisumu and advanced Orbit Reader 20 training for teachers in Isiolo, reaching schools across the region.

Our model is simple, intentional, and practical; train a few, trust them to train many, and keep the knowledge moving where it’s needed most. From teacher to teacher. From teacher to learner. From one school to another.

The journey toward inclusive classrooms is far from over, but we are showing up and doing the work, making sure these devices don’t just sit on shelves, but are actually used to open up learning.

With the introduction of the Disability Act 2025, Kenya has taken an important step toward strengthening the rights, inclusion, and protection of persons with disabilities. The Act signals progress, recognising the need for accessibility, equal opportunities, and stronger institutional support.

But policy alone is not enough.

Read more:

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Strengthening OPDs in Kenya: Co-Creating a More Inclusive Future Through Technology Across Kenya, Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) are at the forefront of advancing inclusion, advocating for rights, and shaping policies that impact their communities. Yet, many OPDs continue to face systemic barriers: limited access to assistive technology, gaps in capacity, and con...

Disability inclusion is not a favour to a few. It is about fair work, equal opportunity and recognising the value that persons with disabilities bring to every business.

Global Compact Network Kenya and Kilimanjaro Blind Trust Africa invite participants and the wider business community to a virtual session that will move policy commitments into concrete workplace action.

Kenya’s new Persons with Disabilities Act 2025 sets out clear expectations for employers on non-discrimination, reasonable accommodation, and inclusive workplace policies, and encourages companies to intentionally increase the representation of persons with disabilities in their workforce.

The webinar will share practical guidance on inclusive recruitment, retention, accessibility, incentives such as tax relief, and how companies can start or deepen their disability inclusion journey.

Friday 17 April 2026
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM EAT

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/AdvancingDisabilityInclusion

We are excited to introduce Cohort 11 of our Employability Skills Training Program in Kenya, a vibrant group of young graduates ready to take bold steps toward their future

This journey is more than just training; it’s about unlocking potential, building resilience, and creating pathways to meaningful opportunities.
We can’t wait to see the impact Cohort 11 will make!

KBTA Highlights and Milestones: Q3 Edition

Q3 Newsletter (January – March) A Season of Momentum, Access, and Impact

Cohort 10 of the Employability Skills Training Program in Kenya has officially graduated after three months of intensive training in adapted ICT and essential soft skills.

The graduation ceremony, held at Thika High School for the Blind, followed a meaningful mentorship session led by the Standard Chartered Foundation team, a moment of reflection, encouragement, and renewed hope for what lies ahead. As each graduate received their certificate, it marked more than completion; it was a celebration of resilience, growth, and the courage to dream bigger.

As they step into the next chapter, we invite partners, organizations, and employers to join us in opening doors for these bright, capable young individuals. Opportunities for internships, job placements, and mentorship will not only transform their lives but also enrich workplaces with diverse talent, perspective, and innovation.

Join us to ensure that their potential does not end at graduation but truly begins there.

Last week, Kilimanjaro Blind Trust Africa partnered with the Standard Chartered Foundation to host a mentorship session at Thika High School for the Visually Impaired, demonstrating how partnerships can open opportunities for learners with visual impairments.
Through the Foundation’s generous support, we successfully delivered the National STEM Mentorship Camp in the last week of February, creating a space where visually impaired learners could explore pathways in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

After a week of hackathons and creative robotics sessions, Thika High School for the Visually Impaired emerged as the , showcasing what is possible when learners are equipped with the right support.
Beyond the camp, this partnership continues to drive lasting impact. The foundation donated 14 desktops installed with JAWS software to the school to strengthen access to digital learning and create a more inclusive environment for students to build critical skills for the future.

Moments like these are a reminder that donor support goes beyond funding; it creates access, builds confidence, and opens doors to opportunity.

To the , thank you for championing inclusion and investing in the potential of learners with visual impairment. Your support is shaping futures and redefining what is possible.

With continued partnership and donor support, we can reach even more learners, expand access to inclusive education, and create lasting impact where it matters most.

Check out the highlights from the National STEM Camp 2026, where students with visual impairment explored STEM through hands-on activities, mentorship, and teamwork.
Inspiring the next generation of innovators:

National STEM Camp 2026 Highlights Hosted on 23rd - 27th February, 2026, at the Salvation Army Thika High School for the Blind

The Employability Skills Training Program for young graduates with visual impairment has been underway for the past month in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and the journey so far has been nothing short of transformative.

Over the course of three months, the trainees will be participating in:
✨ Adapted ICT sessions that build practical digital skills and confidence
✨ Engaging soft skills training to strengthen communication, professionalism, and workplace readiness
✨ Personalized career mentorship offering guidance, encouragement, and exposure to opportunity

One month in, the changes are visible. Confidence is rising. Voices are stronger. Questions are bolder. There is a quiet but powerful shift happening, not just in skills, but in self-belief.

This is more than a training program. It is a space where potential is affirmed, where barriers are challenged, and where young graduates with visual impairment are reminded that they are capable, needed, and deserving of opportunity.

This impactful initiative would not have been possible without our incredible implementing partners, SHIVYAWATA and Mastercard Foundation. Their dedication to advancing inclusion and empowering young people with disabilities continues to turn vision into action. We are deeply grateful for their collaboration, passion, and unwavering belief in the potential of every young graduate
And as we continue this journey together, we do so with hope, knowing that the seeds being planted today will grow into leadership, resilience, and meaningful careers tomorrow