Blind Tibetan opens horizon to wide world of opportunities

When Dachung Wochen, a 35-year-old blind Tibetan, walks in the bustling streets of Lhasa, capital of the Xizang autonomous region, with his guide dog Fuju, people are amazed by their tacit cooperation.

Fuju helps his master navigate every obstacle on the road. After spending only a year with him, he understands most of his commands in Tibetan.

Dachung Wochen's journey with the four-year-old canine began in April 2024. After 28 days of professional training at the China Guide Dog Training Center in Dalian, Liaoning province, Dachung, as he is called by friends and family, took Fuju to Xizang by air and rail.

Fuju is probably the first guide dog in Xizang to visit the Potala Palace, and one of the earliest guide dogs to ride the Fuxing bullet train on the plateau.

"Before having Fuju in my life, I had to be accompanied by someone to help me go out. But now, I can often go out by myself," Dachung said.

Thanks to their being together all the time, Fuju knows what to do even if Dachung does not give him a command. He sometimes tugs at his clothes with his mouth when he thinks that Dachung is ready to go out.

Despite being fully blind, Dachung strives to show the value of the blind community by working hard. His perseverance, innovation and community spirit are an inspiration to all.

Dachung was born in the Namling county in Xizang. After graduating from the Lhasa Blind School in 2008, he spent four years working in a massage center.

His passion for music and a deep-seated desire to create opportunities for blind and partially sighted individuals around him led him on a path of entrepreneurship.

In 2014, Dachung founded the Xizang Kada Gabu Blind Band, a musical ensemble that has since become a symbol of hope and resilience for him and his partners.

Comprising six blind performers, the band members live together in a residential community in Lhasa, forming a tight-knit family. The band has mastered an impressive repertoire of traditional Tibetan songs and dances, including Nangma and Toeshe. They have become proficient in using various musical instruments.

Their dedication and talent have not gone unnoticed. They won first prizes in national art competitions for people with disabilities in 2016 and 2021, proving that visual impairment is no barrier to artistic excellence.

"If we let the fact that we are blind diminish the reason why we are in this world, it would be our greatest regret," said Dachung, adding that their hearts are not blind, so they can do many things on their own.

Dachung said that they don't have a fixed performance schedule. Whenever they are invited, they go to perform at bars or commercial events.

Besides the band, Dachung runs a Tibetan incense company; he also sells his incense during the performances.

The company employs two sighted people. Dachung spends his profits on the expenses of his blind band.

However, Dachung's ambitions extend beyond music and incense. He is now on the cusp of another exciting venture — the establishment of a "Dialogue with Darkness" experience center in Lhasa.

"We hope to create a center that serves as both a business and a place for sincere communication between the blind and the sighted. It will allow sighted people to enter the inner world of the blind and learn to cherish life," he said.

The initiative not only promises to be a new source of income but also aims to bridge the gap between the two communities, fostering understanding and empathy.

Besides work, Dachung also likes Tibetan literature, Buddhist philosophy, drinking coffee and reading. Thanks to audiobooks and Braille, he delves into a variety of reading content, including literature, history, politics and religious scriptures to constantly expand his knowledge and horizons.

"We have been working on a Tibetan Braille translation project for years. It is very important to translate all these excellent documents into Braille," he said.

Dachung's dreams never cease. He is now on his way to build a comprehensive blind service center in Lhasa.

It will combine music, incense, massage, handicraft production and other services run by blind people.