Massage eases pain for blind in S. Sudan

JUBA, South Sudan — As civil war and a biting economic crisis continue to ravage the country, a group of blind South Sudanese in the capital Juba is using massage therapy to relieve people from pain and stress.

Established in 2013, Seeing Hands group — a social enterprise scheme made of up five members, all blind — offers massage therapy to local and foreign clients at a fee.

James Pitia, 32, became blind in 2000 after contracting onchocerciasis, or river blindness (a tropical disease common in South Sudan), and the illness left him unable to fend for himself.

After a laborious search for help, Pitia said he received assistance from South Sudan’s only education facility for people with visual impairment, the Rejaf Educational Center for the Blind and Deaf, where he was given training on mobility, massage and using specialized gadgets.

“Our massage is not just for money. It is a treatment for the muscles, mind and body. Many people experiencing physical or emotion pain come here and we help relief them from that,” Pitia said.

The group charges $15 for foreigners and $6 for locals per hour. The masseurs attend to at least 30 clients per month and they share the proceeds and also invest the rest for future development.

“Since we started this business, we are now able to help our families and even ourselves. Most of our members are paying their own tuition fees, transport and many things. This work is helping us in many ways,” said Pitia.

Family help

Augustino Lonya, 38, became blind at 22 years old and until 2014, he struggled to fend for himself and family.

The father of one said since he started doing massage in 2014, he can now afford to provide basic needs for his family.

“I used to struggle to make money, but when I started this work, it has helped me a lot. I can now help my family, relatives and my neighbors,” Lonya said.

“I tell my fellow people with disabilities to be creative and do something for themselves,” he added.

For 38-year-old Silvas Darago, the massage therapy center rescued him from turning to begging after he went blind in early 2013.

Darago uses his monthly income to pay tuition fee at university and also support his relatives.

“When I got blind I was shocked and I lost hope. But when I came to this group, I got encouragement and I now have hope for my future,” said the third year student of psychology at the University of Juba.

According to a disability assessment survey conducted by the government in 2011, about 424,000 people live with disabilities in South Sudan, with the majority of them getting disabilities from eye diseases, polio and physical injuries during war and violent conflicts.

The report said 85 percent of people with disabilities live in rural areas with limited access to basic services.