Celebrated in October, White Cane Awareness Day is meant to raise awareness on the importance of the 'white cane' as a symbol of independence and mobility for those who are visually impaired.

For most blind people in Kavango East, though, the white cane is an unattainable luxury item that many are unable to afford. 

This nifty little tool allows the visually impaired to navigate their environment safely, detect obstacles, and maintain their balance, revolutionising the lives of millions around the world. 

But in most parts of Kavango East, this simple device is out of reach. 

"This is a very scarce resource to us now. If you see me holding it here, I'm one of the fortunate. Out of 100, only five people have got a white cane. The 95% is not having. The accessibility of this assistive device is like brushing the teeth of a crocodile; it's not easy to get it. You only access it when you are in Windhoek, and it is costing like N$800, and believe me, my colleagues here don't even get the grants," says the Chairperson: Namibian Federation of the Visually Impaired, Alfons Maketo.

Maketo says there are other traditional options, but even those can be cumbersome. 

"Imagine when you are getting a taxi to town from here with a traditional stick. My height is 2 meters, and my stick is 1,90 meters. How do I get with my stick in a taxi now? It doesn't fit. This one is flexible; you can fold it." 

The chairperson is now calling on the government or even NGOs to subsidise the price of white canes. 

Students at the Sauyemwa Centre for the Visually Impaired say for most of them, their biggest wish is a sense of independence and the accompanying lessening of the burden placed on their caretakers.

Johannes Kufuna has been blind since he was a toddler. 

"Your ears must be your eyes. When you are walking, you have to listen that, because I am without a cane, I think, on my right side, is there a road? And this side? There is no road, so you go where there is no road, using your foot to feel your way and where you are going. That's how you walk independently." 

Others, like Marcus Haingura, are more used to working with a guide. 

"It must be somebody who is loving and passionate about helping people. Someone who is patient enough to escort you where you need to go. The rest of the people can become impatient and will even drop you because they lack the temperament to navigate the environment with you."

Pauline Kanyanga is the matron here. After noticing that the visually impaired students were preparing their own meals after the previous caretaker left, she volunteered to help out.

Kanyanga says they prepare their meals on an open fire outside, and students also need proper tables and chairs for their meals. 

They currently place their plates on the ground, where Kanyanga says it is not safe, especially at night.