Sight Box Trust: Empowering Visually Impaired Children in Nepal through Sports
Summary
The collaborative initiative between The Sight Box Trust, a UK-based charity, and the Rotary Club of Kathmandu is a pioneering project aimed at empowering visually impaired children in Nepal through sports and education. This program underscores the transformative power of sports in fostering inclusion, building confidence, and promoting holistic development among children with visual impairments. Currently It is implementing 4 school at Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Kavre.
The Sight Box Trust, a UK-based charity, has partnered with the Rotary Club of Kathmandu to launch a transformative project aimed at enhancing the lives of visually impaired children in Nepal through sports and education. This initiative underscores the belief that sports can be a powerful tool for inclusion, confidence-building, and holistic development.
Project Overview
The project’s core objective is to provide visually impaired children with the opportunity to engage in sports, thereby promoting physical activity, teamwork, and social inclusion. The initiative focuses on training educators and students in accessible sports, ensuring that both groups are equipped with the knowledge and skills to participate effectively.
Participating Schools
The project has been implemented in four schools across Kathmandu, Kavre and Lalitpur districts:
- Laboratory Secondary School, Kirtipur, Kathmandu
- Namuna Machchhindra Secondary School, Lagankhel, Lalitpur
- Sanjiwani Secondary School, Dhulikhel
- Adarsh Soul Secondary School, Bungmati, Lalitpur
Sports Activities Introduced
The project introduced several adaptive sports to the students, including:
- Boccia – A precision ball sport similar to bocce, tailored for athletes with physical disabilities.
- Parachute Games – Group activities using a large, colorful parachute to promote teamwork and coordination.
- Passing Ball in a Circle – A team-based game to enhance hand-eye coordination and communication.
- Ball over the and between the legs –
Training and Capacity Building
A one-day training session was organized by the Rotary Club of Kathmandu, focusing on with the support of Sight box trust UK.
- Teacher Training: Equipping educators with the skills to teach and facilitate adaptive sports.
- Student Training: Instructing visually impaired students on how to participate in and enjoy the sports activities.
Approximately six teachers and 25 visually impaired students participated in the training, which was conducted by Angela Williams from the Sight Box Trust UK, supported by Mr Rajan Bahadur Raut, the Rotary Club of Kathmandu. Additionally, Mr Ratna Kaji Dangol ,Nepal Association for the Welfare of the Blind (NAWB), managed the participants from different schools.to the training sessions.
Upon completion of the training, the Sight Box Trust provided each participating school with a set of sports equipment tailored for visually impaired students. These resources enable the schools to continue offering inclusive sports activities, fostering an environment of ongoing engagement and development
The Sight Box Trust’s initiative in Nepal aligns with its broader mission to promote inclusion and empowerment for visually impaired individuals worldwide. By integrating sports into the education of visually impaired children, the project not only enhances physical well-being but also contributes to social inclusion and personal growth.
The collaboration between the Sight Box Trust, the Rotary Club of Kathmandu, Nepal Association for the Welfare of the Blind (NAWB) and local educational institutions exemplifies a successful model of international partnership aimed at creating lasting positive change in the lives of visually impaired children in Nepal.
