Irishman Spends Christmastime visiting Blind Children

How it all started

Irishman Spends Christmastime visiting Blind Children dates Back in 2016, Mr. Thomas Donohoe, an Irish man from Athlone and Buccaneers RFC, showed great kindness to the Spire School for the Blind in Jinja. He approached his old rugby friend, Saidi Atibu, to inquire if he could bring some gifts for the children at the school for Christmas. Atibu was more than happy to oblige and offered all the support needed to have this fulfilled. The next course of action involved notifying and getting in touch with Spire School for the Blind in Jinja via Mr. Kenneth Kyalimpa, the unit head at the time

Since then, this simple gesture of the Irishman Spend Christmastime visiting Blind Children has evolved into a unique way of celebrating Christmas by visiting the homes of the young ones from Spire School for the Blind in Jinja. The visually impaired children eagerly anticipate the arrival of the Irish man every year. They enjoy the joyous occasion with great enthusiasm and participate in various activities, including singing, dancing, and gift-giving. It is a heartwarming visit that brings much-needed cheer to the children and reminds them that they are cared for and loved.

Kenneth amazed by the Irishman’s Gesture

He was thrilled to hear this and was astounded that, on Christmas Day, when most people in Europe are spending time with their families or on vacation, an Irishman from Athlone, thousands of miles away, could still think about the young blind children in Jinja, Uganda, who are visually impaired. Right after that, Kenneth and Saidi compiled a list of the children that stayed around Jinja and were available to receive their Christmas gifts from Ireland. With

Thomas supporting in the background, he managed to send money through World Remit. The head of the unit, Kenneth, suggested that since we are visiting the homes of the children, we should think about buying some home supplies. We gladly complied, and among the items we bought from Jinja Central Market were biscuits, sweets, bread, milk, rice, soap, sugar, milk, and sanitary pads for the girls, among other kid-friendly treats.

Once Saidi and Kenneth had completed all the necessary purchases for the gifts, they mounted on public motorcycles (known locally as Boda Bodas) and embarked on a heartwarming visit, distributing gifts and goodies to families of these children around Jinja. Moving from one home to the other, the two kind-hearted individuals spent Christmas with the little ones, enjoying their beaming smiles and infectious laughter. The generosity of Mr. Thomas, who initiated the distribution, was greatly appreciated, and everyone involved couldn’t thank him enough. Each family was full of gratitude and prayed for Thomas, Kenneth, and Saidi, who made the visit a success and a memorable experience for all involved.

Thomas’s Connection with Spire school for the Blind

Thomas had a personal connection with Spire School for the Blind, which he had known since 2023.  In 2016, Thomas traveled with his group of Irish friends to Uganda, where they embarked on a rugby tour and safari holiday. During their travels, they were struck by the plight of the visually impaired children in the region. They discovered that these children faced numerous challenges in accessing educational resources, which made it difficult for them to learn and achieve their full potential.

Moved by their experiences, Thomas and his friends decided to take action. They researched the most pressing needs of the children and came up with a plan to raise funds to purchase Braille machines. These machines would enable the visually impaired children to read and write, which would improve their ability to learn and succeed in life.

The Impact to the Blind children

The impact of their efforts was significant. The visually impaired children could now access educational resources and learn alongside their peers. They could read and write, which gave them the confidence to pursue their dreams and aspirations. Thomas and his friends had made a real difference in the lives of these children, and their legacy would continue to inspire others to follow in their footsteps as the machines are used by the rest of the children who join the school.

Furthermore, during the same year, Thomas and his group were able to raise money to buy beds for the children at the Blind School who were sharing a bed. The team determined to provide these children with a comfortable and safe place to sleep. They recognized that it was important for the children to have a good night’s sleep to be able to concentrate and learn during the day. Thus delighted to provide these children with a much-needed and impactful gift, which would improve their quality of life.

Meanwhile in 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Thomas extended his support to the underprivileged families who were struggling to make ends meet. selflessly helped them to celebrate Christmas by providing them with the necessary resources and aid that would enable them to enjoy the festivities and make lasting memories with their loved ones. It was a heartwarming gesture that truly made a difference in the lives of those families, especially during such a challenging year.

About the Blind School

The Spire School for the Blind is a primary annex to the Spire Road Primary School located in Jinja. The unit has been in operation for more than 20 years, and it plays a crucial role in providing visually impaired children in and around Jinja access to education. The school has dormitory accommodation for the children, a kitchen, a store, and a two-room administration block. Currently, the school hosts over 40 visually impaired children, with a large percentage of them being totally blind. In 2019, the school had its first student who progressed to , and the same year, one of its students who had gone to secondary became the best performer in O’ level countrywide. Additionally, Thomas was able to support this student for the first three years of their education at Iganga Secondary School.

In 2023 Christmas season, Njia African Adventure Limited joined Thomas Donohoe to organize a special day for the little ones at Spire School for the Blind. As it has been over the past years, 2023 was no exception.  We were able to make it yet another memorable day for the children. We are proud to say that the number of participants increasing over the years. And committed to continuing this tradition of togetherness and support for our community. As a company that cares deeply about our community, we believe that it is our responsibility to give back and make a positive impact wherever we can. Therefore, we look forward to many more years of partnering with amazing organizations such as Spire School for the Blind and continuing to make a difference in the lives of those around us.

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