Sisabelo Saka (SSIS) was established in 2019 by Mulambwa Gondweto with the intent to build an inclusive education center for visually-impaired and non-visually-impaired children, and provide scholarships for the financially disadvantaged visually impaired children.

Emerging data from the Zambia Agency for People with Disabilities (ZAPD) showed that many  visually-impaired primary school aged children that lived in Lusaka, Africa were not attending school. These children came from families that were unable to afford to send them to schools outside of Lusaka, Africa as there were limited schools that offered education for primary school aged children that were visually impaired.

Mulambwa shared that some of the biggest challenges she experienced while launching SSIS was that parents are reluctant to pay education fees because they are unable to afford the expenses. In addition, Mulambwa discovered that some parents believe that educating a blind child is a poor investment because there will be no return for their investment. In many African cultures, children are given an education as a social security measure.

Right now, SSIS needs a mentor to help them complete specific tasks, such as writing policies and other administrative tasks. SSIS is also in need of financial support to afford the appropriate learning equipment and materials for students who are visually-impaired and non-visually-impaired. The latest round of fund-raising was for a science lab, music lab and art lab.  Only enough money was raised to support the requirements for the music and art lab.

Mulambwa states, “running a successful business will not only financially impact me personally but also the community of children with visual impairment that I serve. SSIS is uniquely placed as it aims to offer education to children with visual impairment in an inclusive environment. I look forward to the time when the school will be able to generate its own money to run the business.”