Old laptops transform the lives of Africa's blind

Alongside the laptop, DIFD has also provided £70,000 of funding for USB memory sticks, the Dolphin Pen, pre-loaded with accessibility software. Not all blind students have access to laptops and normal computers are out of bounds to them unless they have someone available to change the accessibility options in Windows — not an easy task even for the sighted. But simply plugging in the Dolphin Pen launches software that includes a screen magnifier — to make small icons easier to read — and screen-reading software which renders text into speech.

Also visually impaired, university lecturer Lubra Maziui (pictured between Johnson Riungu and Terry Twirimugambi) claims the Dolphin Pen has reduced her reliance on assistants. "It made a huge difference. I have used three other screen readers but the Dolphin Pen has been the best to use. It gave me a great deal of independence as I don't have to rely on a human reader. Although you can't eliminate the need for assistants completely, it's made my schedule much more flexible," she said.

Martin Kieti, an executive officer of Kenya Union of the Blind, received one of the first two Dolphin Pens to arrive in the country. "Within two days of using it," he said, "I was totally amazed by the revolution it brought into my life. For the first time, I could sit and work on my computer or laptop while leaning on the back of my seat. Above all, I could use any computer, especially at internet cafes, plug in my Pen and use my settings, just like anyone else."

Photo credit: Glenn Edwards