Mellen Marucha

About Sense International Sense International is a global development organization committed to ensuring that children and young people with deafblindness and multi-sensory impairments can live, learn, and thrive. Operating in eight countries across East Africa (Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania), South Asia (India, Nepal, and Bangladesh), and Latin America (Peru and Romania), Sense International works through locally governed teams and independent organizations, fostering impactful and culturally relevant solutions. As a small yet dynamic organization, Sense International delivers outsized impact, championing the rights and inclusion of people with deafblindness. Guided by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the organization envisions a world where all individuals with deafblindness are equal, empowered, and actively participating members of society. Its mission is rooted in breaking systemic barriers to ensure that people with deafblindness are recognized, included, and supported to achieve their full potential. This commitment is vital, as people with deafblindness—representing up to 2% of the global population—are often underrepresented, excluded from government policies, and disproportionately affected by poverty, unemployment, and limited access to education, healthcare, and essential services. For over three decades, Sense International has been at the forefront of advocacy for better recognition and inclusion of people with deafblindness. Through policy influence, programmatic innovation, and strategic partnerships, the organization has achieved significant milestones, such as gaining formal recognition of deafblindness as a distinct disability in several countries. Despite these advancements, individuals with deafblindness continue to face significant challenges, making Sense International's work indispensable. The 2022–2027 global strategic framework of Sense International emphasizes innovation and knowledge-sharing in three core areas: Early Intervention, Inclusive Education, and Livelihoods. This strategy prioritizes collaboration with governments to influence policy, improve practices, and ensure no one with deafblindness is left behind in global and national development agendas. Each country program adapts this global framework to local needs, ensuring tailored and impactful solutions for the communities served.