malvernmugadzikwa
Youth Buzz
Fatima Bulla-Musakwa
IT seems 32-year-old Bruce Nyoni’s main motivation is doing work that impacts on communities, particularly through the inclusion of persons with disability and albinism.
He has spearheaded projects that many of his peers would never imagine pursuing.
As the executive director of the Albino Trust of Zimbabwe (ATZ), an organisation that champions the rights and welfare of persons living with disabilities, he is implementing life-changing projects for the disadvantaged.
One of its flagship programmes is the Sight to the World initiative, which is meant to increase access to affordable quality eye care.
Through the initiative, scores of people in Harare and Kadoma have benefitted from ophthalmologists and eye specialists providing services such as cataract extraction.
For example, the organisation’s partnership with Blue Buck has allowed beneficiaries with eyesight challenges to get prescription spectacles at subsidised prices of between US$50 and US$60. However, those with albinism receive the spectacles for free.
On the open market, they cost anything between US$300 and US$350.
On June 13, ATZ commemorated International Albinism Awareness Day at the Harare Central Prison, where 138 inmates received spectacles free of charge.
“The drive, for me, comes from my conviction to plough back into the community I belong to, as part of the appreciation of the support that I got from the Government, which took me to school,” Nyoni told The Sunday Mail last week.
“Apart from that, I also seek to inspire other young people, especially those with disabilities, to show them that everything is possible.”
Nyoni, who was born and raised in Gokwe South, received a Government-funded scholarship that enabled him to get tertiary education.
Through the project “My Skin My Pride”, which is presently being implemented in five regional countries, Nyoni is touching many lives.
The project is being carried out with assistance from development partners under the SADC Youth Forum banner.
Not only has the initiative enabled people living with albinism to receive sunscreen lotions free of charge, but it has also provided a platform for their inclusion.
More importantly, it is creating awareness about albinism, helping reduce incidences of abductions for ritual purposes of persons with albinism in countries like Malawi and Tanzania.
“I try by all means to ensure that whichever position I get, I do my level best to the extent of leaving a mark,” he said.
“So, that is why I do what I do; it is to send a message to people that we should walk what we talk . . .That will go a long way as far as promoting peer education is concerned.
“I strongly believe that this country has so much to offer to persons with disabilities.”
ATZ’s work goes beyond the provision of social support services. The organisation is accredited with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to provide voter education, especially to persons living with disabilities.
As a result, some of the materials have been converted into disability-friendly and accessible formats such as Braille and large prints.
Audio and visual messages in local and sign languages have also been produced for those with hearing and eyesight challenges.
In recognition of his work in championing inclusion, Nyoni was the first to receive the 2018 general elections voters’ roll from ZEC chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba.
He sits on boards of the Zimbabwe Aids Network, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network and the Public Health Practitioners Association of Zimbabwe.
He is also a member of the SADC Youth Forum, where he serves as a disability expert.
In 2021, he was recognised as Young Pacesetter of the Year by Business Connect, a local publication, before receiving the Young Director with a Disability of the Year accolade from Ignite Youth Awards.
He is one of the two Zimbabweans representing the country at the ongoing International Agency of Prevention of Blindness meeting in Singapore, where experts are discussing ways of improving the quality of eye health at a global level.
“I always encourage people to appreciate that disability is not inability,” said Nyoni.
“If others can do it, then why can’t you? My prayer each day is that I inspire anyone who hears me and that I come up with solutions to problems afflicting my community.”
Twitter: @BullaFatima
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter