A Vision Beyond Sight: The Story of Henry Jacob Daniels and the Kou Cocoa Cooperative Society Limited

What does it truly mean to see humanity? Perhaps it is not just about seeing with our eyes, but about acting with our hearts.

Deep in the Usino-Bundi District of Madang Province, Henry Jacob Daniels is a leader unlike any other. Though visually impaired, his vision for a thriving cocoa farming community has united 1,117 registered farmers under the Kou Cocoa Cooperative Society Limited (KCCSL).

Their journey unfolds through the Climate Smart and Inclusive Cocoa in Usino (CACAU) Project, funded by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT) and implemented by World Vision International, Papua New Guinea. This initiative is far more than agricultural support, it is the foundation for change, inclusion, and resilience.

When Henry was appointed chairman in 2021, KCCSL had determination and hope for a brighter future. Kou is a challenging environment to live in, but Henry believed that through unity, education,   and perseverance, farmers could transform their livelihoods.  

"Living in Kou is tough, but we have built resilience through the support of this project. World Vision has shown us the way," Henry shares.

With the support of the donor, World Vision played a vital role in building sustainable infrastructure that would support cocoa production, including:

• Danaru Facility – A central nursery with a 20,000-seedling capacity and a gravity-fed water system.
• Aumia Facility – A central nursery with approximately 20,000 cloned seedlings per cycle with a solar-fed water system. 
• 2 Certified budwood gardens 

• A solar dryer for cocoa processing using sunlight 

With these resources, the cooperative began to flourish, giving farmers the tools needed to grow improved clonal cocoa varieties while ensuring economic stability for their families.

Just as the cooperative was achieving tangible outcomes, tragedy struck. On March 23, 2023, Henry lost his eyesight completely. For a man who had once led farmers through vision and strategy, adapting to total blindness was a massive challenge. 

In his darkest moment, Henry found his strength. Leadership was never about physical sight but about empowering people to see their own potential.

"With the support from CACAU, KCCSL continues to ensure that our farmers, their families, and communities embrace the value of human dignity," Henry affirms.

The cooperative’s transformation became evident, and over the past four years, farmers have experienced:

• Advancements in cocoa cloning activities.
• Mobilising fermentary owners and farmers for collective market access, ensuring fair prices.
• Savings programs to help families achieve financial independence.
• Enhanced gender equality and social inclusion efforts.

"I once saw these changes with my own eyes. Now, I see them through the lives they impact," Henry reflects.

Henry’s leadership through disability reshaped how the community viewed inclusion. He credits Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) training, facilitated through CACAU, for breaking barriers and changing perspectives.

"I spend time with farmers, in their homes and communities. They want their lives to progress, to build something for themselves. I see their hunger for change," he shares.

Cross-cutting programs such as Celebrating Families, Channel of Hope, and Saving for Transformation encouraged farmers to rethink generational habits, embrace education and inclusive decision making, and step with confidence into new opportunities.

For Kou Cooperative, cocoa farming is more than an economic pursuit, it is a cultural transformation. Where past norms hindered peace and progress, this project pushed for empowerment, peaceful and respectful relationships, and ecological, social, and economic harmony.

"Through Faith and Development, we create a peaceful space where every human life is valued and uplifted," Henry says.

The motto “Leave No One Behind” resonates deeply within Henry’s journey. Despite losing his sight, his determination remained intact. He received continuous support from World Vision, ensuring that his leadership continued to thrive.

"Without this project, funded by the Australian Government, I would not be here today. The World Vision team in Port Moresby and Madang has worked tirelessly to ensure I live a meaningful life," he shared with emotion.

The transition to blindness was a major obstacle, but Henry refused to let it define him. With consistent help from his wife, Esse, and guidance from World Vision PNG, he joined Creative Self-Help in Madang to adapt to his new life.

Through intensive training, he learned how to use a Non-Visual Desktop Access software called JAWS, designed to help visually impaired individuals use computers with full functionality. Originally an eight-month program, Henry completed it in twenty-four weeks to meet his responsibilities as the Chairman of KCCSL in the CACAU Project and keep things moving for his farmers. 

"Now, I work on my computer just like anyone else. My blindness does not limit what I can achieve," he proudly states.

Henry’s resilience and dedication earned him the Persons Living with Disability SME Empowerment Award in October 2024. More than personal recognition, the award symbolizes a movement for inclusion, proving that disability is not an obstacle to leadership, growth, or success. His journey is not just about overcoming blindness, it is about transforming lives.

The story of Henry Jacob Daniels and Kou Cocoa Cooperative Society Limited stands as a witness to humanity, not measured by ability, status, or circumstance, but by the relentless pursuit of lifting others.

Because true vision is not about sight, it is about hope and belief in a better future.