176 canes for blind children in Mali

We are raising money to buy canes for the 176 completely blind students in the Union Malienne des Aveugles school for the blind in Mali, Africa.  Right now, none of the students have canes, so the totally blind students are led around by the partially blind children.  Ideally, we would get canes for all of the 300 or so students, but our first priority is for those that have no vision.

We will use the funds to procure canes of various sizes, so that each blind student can have one that fits him/her.  A friend of ours takes multiple trips to the school each year, and he will take the canes on his upcoming trip (during the week of America's Thanksgiving in November).  Our friend told us about his work there, and that's how we became involved.

Once the cane's are delivered, the school's director and two instructors will provide mobility training (how to use the canes to walk and navigate independently).

Cane travel is the foundation of independence for the blind.  Without it, you become completely dependent on others.  

This will be the first of multiple projects to improve the lives of these children.