Blind Farmer and Musician Maniraguha Elie Defies Odds to Support His Family

Maniraguha Elie, a 37-year-old Blind man from Rubiha Village in Rwamagana District, has chosen resilience over despair, refusing to beg for a living. Instead, he has harnessed his talent for playing the guitar while combining it with improved agricultural practices to support his two children.

In an interview with IGIHE, Maniraguha recounted the tragic accident that led to his blindness in 2014 while working as a mechanic in Nyabugogo, Kigali City. “I was involved in an accident that left me with permanent vision loss,” he shared. “At that time, I had a wife and one child. Faced with the challenges of living in Kigali, I decided to move to Rwamagana to start anew.”

After losing his sight, Maniraguha initially lived with his wife, but their situation changed dramatically, leading her to leave him and their children. Despite this setback, he found support at the Masaka Resource Centre for the Blind (MRCB), where he learned essential life skills such as mobility with a cane, cooking, farming, etc… “I left there feeling renewed and confident,” he said gratefully.

Determined to overcome his disability, Maniraguha embraced agriculture. He started by cultivating beans and corn, eventually expanding his efforts to manage one hectare of land. “Now I grow beans and maize professionally, and my life has improved significantly,” he noted.

In addition to farming, Maniraguha plays guitar at various events, using the income to cover his children’s school fees and daily expenses. His courage and determination have kept him from resorting to begging, and he encourages others with disabilities to see their potential.

“The first disability is in the mind,” he explained. “I may not be able to see, but all other parts of my body work. There are many opportunities out there for people to use for self-development; they should get up and work instead of sitting on the street begging.”

Currently, Maniraguha aims to become a successful farmer while continuing to generate income from music. His inspiring journey serves as a reminder of the power of resilience and the importance of pursuing one’s dreams despite challenges.