Irente School for the Blind
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The building of the Biogas digester system started on 25 October 2017 This project is a support from the CCT congregation choir of the University of Dar es Salaam. The launching of this project was attended by Dr. Msuya and Dr. Tarimo who were representatives of the CCT congregation chaplaincy and choir.
Rev. Joyce Kibanga Director of Social Services in NED was the guest of honor to this special event. Staff members, pupils and the chairperson of the school committee were also present.
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Achievements and problems
The fact that ISB has two committed donors implies a financial security. However, there are still many requirements that have to be met by the school in order to improve its task of providing education for children with low or no vision. At the moment, there is shortage of Braille typing machines (pekings), the special typing machines for blind people. In order to be able to teach the pupils satisfactorily, 10 more machines would be required. However, these are very expensive; one costs more than Tshs. 700,000/= which is equivalent to approximately 700 Euros. Another problem that needs to be tackled is that of dormitories. There are pupils who live in overcrowded rooms, which is not good for their health. Moreover, the school doesnt have a Braille version of the new school syllabus. Shortage of teachers is also a problem and therefore the leadership of the North Eastern Diocese is involved in helping ISB to recruit two teachers.
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A short history of the School
Irente School for the Blind (hereafter abbreviated ISB) is one among the institutions within the North Eastern Diocese that were opened during the 60s. The Usambara-Digo Church, as it was called during that time, was helped by the organisation Bread for the World to build a training centre for blind children. Sr. Ursula Pomian from Germany started the work of constructing buildings at Irente in 1963. Five buildings were built and the school was opened in 1964 for girls only.