Society for the Blind striving to continue literacy programme

May 30, 2012 News

– welcomes $300,000 donation from Geddes Grant

As the Guyana Society for the Blind (GSB) continues to face struggles in executing its daily duties, it still remains committed towards empowering blind individuals in areas such as education, health and more.
In light of Blindness Awareness Month, several activities were scheduled, including a literacy programme for the blind which began on April 19.

A Geddes Grant representative makes the presentation to President of the Guyana Society for the Blind, Cecil Morris

At the Society’s headquarters yesterday morning, staff from the Geddes Grant Group of Companies donated $300,000 to the organisation to help them continue the works that are ongoing.
GSB President Cecil Morris told Kaieteur News that his organisation would utilise this money for transportation fees and possibly stipends for participants in the literacy programme.
He explained that funding for the various programmes remains a major challenge for the society.
“We are thankful for this help and welcome any more help we can get from wherever. With this money we can help pay transportation costs for those participating in the ongoing literacy programme, because many live out of town. But we also try to do training for persons with laptops which we got from the one laptop per family programme, and any money we get will help us do our job here at the society,” Morris emphasised.
While explaining what the entity caters for and how it plays an integral role in the lives of blind individuals, Morris stated that the GSB is also open to persons who are visually impaired, as well as those who recently became blind.
“We cater for persons who are blind or visually impaired and we try to rehabilitate persons who lost their sight recently or within the last few years, and get them comfortable as well as able to move around and become self sufficient in their homes, etc. This is to make sure that they can do little things for themselves like even making a snack.”
Kaieteur News understands that membership is about 120 persons, yet only 60 remain active within the society. (Kristen Macklingam)