Latest update March 21st, 2025 5:44 AM
Blind shotgun victim to represent Guyana in Canada
Four years ago he had his eyes blown out by the blast from a shotgun, but that has not deterred 18-year-old Douglas Tika from pursuing his dreams.
Since then he was awarded the Best Graduating Visually Impaired student CSEC prize at the St. Rose’s High School. Come Sunday, he leaves for Canada to represent Guyana at a leadership training programme under the auspices of the Canadian Institute for the Blind.
Tika is the first Guyanese to be selected from among five local applicants to represent this country at the inaugural event.
Programme manager, Caribbean Council for the Blind, Eye Care Guyana, Charles Vandyke, told this newspaper that the local organization was extended an invitation to partner with the Canadian Institute for the Blind with regards to participation at the event.
The programme lasts for two weeks and according to Vandyke, Tika should benefit significantly since the Canadian Institute for the Blind has an unenviable track record of working with the visually impaired.
“What we are establishing is a normal relationship with them to have especially youths who are visually impaired benefit from the programmes they offer,” Vandyke told this newspaper. The young beneficiary expressed his delight at the news that he will be representing his country.
“I am happy that I could represent Guyana and I think that it would be a great trip because it is not a pleasure trip, it’s about representing your country,” Tika said.
Douglas was not born blind. In fact, he was one of those enthusiastic youths who had so much going for him when tragedy struck.
In October 2004, the Enterprise, East Coast Demerara youth was at a friend’s house when a shotgun accidentally went off, sending the pellets into his face.
Tika was 14 years old at the time and from a life of bright lights, he was plunged into darkness.
He has promised to do his best to represent Guyana and has urged others who are similarly afflicted not to give up.
“At first it was tough but now I have blended in. Families need to support these people,” he urged.
Tika himself is not short of family support.
The visually impaired youth who is awaiting a scholarship has the unstinting support of his father Dr. Davenand Tika.
According to Dr. Tika, all is not lost when one loses one’s sight at a young age. “Lots of parents have their blind children at home.
They don’t know that a school exists for blind people. But avenues are available, possibilities are available, opportunities are available.
They just have to get out and explore these opportunities and these avenues,” Dr. Tika told this newspaper.
He said that despite his situation, his son has not given up on his education and he is currently pursuing a Spanish course at the Venezuelan Institute.
He was loud in praise for officials at the Ministry of Education who he said had been giving tremendous support to his son.
“Who says Guyana does not have helpful people? They’re so helpful; they are so kind at the Ministry of Education.
Daphne Franklin, Romeo Mc Adam, man they are livewires. I was so pleased with the kind of help that they wanted to give to a visually impaired student, to admit him into school,” Dr. Tika stated.
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