CHILDREN who are blind or visually impaired have been able to benefit from a four-day camp that sought to make them more independent and sociable.

The camp is a collaborative effort between the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities, the Guyana Blind Cricket Association and Young Voices Guyana.
This is the second year that the camp is being held. It is being coordinated by Executive Member of the Guyana Society for the Blind, Ganesh Singh.

“The main objective is to equip the children with independent living skills that are needed to survive in everyday society. Over the years, we have observed that these children lack the skills to socialise; how they can be independent and build interpersonal skills,” Singh told this publication.

Speaking on the sidelines of one of the events at the Tower Suites Poolside, he said some of the activities planned include blind cricket, indoor motivational sessions, a formal lunch, a visit to a fun park and games.

“It is really to expose them to things they have not been exposed to; building their confidence, their mobility skills. We can’t do everything, because it’s a four-day camp from 9 am to 3 pm but at least we’ll make a start.”

Singh thanked the Ministry of Education and all others who significantly contributed to hosting the 15 children, ages eight to 17, this time around. Next year, Singh said he hoping the initiative can be held both in Georgetown and Linden.

Speaking about the effect the camp has had on the children, Singh expressed: “We saw a difference with the kids last year. They seem a little more confident and some of the skills they were taught were incorporated into everyday living. It’s something that they look forward to because they started asking since April when we will have the camp.”
Melieka Crawford, one of the four volunteers at the camp, told this newspaper that she decided to offer her services because she especially likes to help those who are in need.
“I love working with persons with disabilities and I also have a disability. It’s fun interacting with other youngsters like myself.” Crawford is partially blind.