Sense International helps deafblind people in less developed countries to communicate, connect, interact and flourish
Sense International provides specialist training, information and support to ensure that every person living with deafblindness can achieve their full potential
We are Sense International
Sense International works in partnership to provide services and raise awareness of the needs of deafblind people and their families so they can connect, participate and contribute to their communities.
Aaron's story
Aaron lives with his grandparents in a small, rural village in Uganda. He was born with hearing problems and soon began to lose his sight as well. His deafblindness made him very accident prone and his grandparents did not know how to keep him safe.
So many deafblind children are written off, but Sense International's pioneering programme - bringing education to the heart of the community - transformed the lives of Aaron and his family.
Edward, a local Sense International trained teacher, decided to visit the family and teach them sign language so that they could learn to communicate. Edward knew that the key to Aaron being accepted by the village was for them to see the amazing progress Aaron was making. So Edward would time the lessons for when people were most likely to come to the house and he tried to include as many people as possible, including Aaron's best friend Maria.
With the specialist support of Sense International, Aaron has become a confident little boy. He now contributes to the family through a very special gift - he is able to smell and sense whether a jackfruit is hollow and therefore ripe and ready to be picked!
Aaron is now attending a specialist school where he is making good progress and is even starting to learn to read with large print. Aaron's grandparents are so proud of their grandson and happy that he can participate in family activities. 'He is starting to be a real person' his grandmother says.
Recently Aaron helped the other villagers make bricks which were sold and the proceeds divided. Aaron's confidence has now grown so much that he was able to defend himself when his share was less than the others and was determined that he should receive a fair amount for his work! Truly a life transformed.