POLICE ‘A’ Division Commander, Senior Superintendent Clifton Hicken celebrated his 46th birthday yesterday, by treating over 30 members of the Guyana Society for the Blind to a hot meal at the institution’s headquarters on St Phillip’s Green in Georgetown.

Before the meal was shared, ranks from the Guyana Police Force Band entertained their audience with steel pan music, and had them singing along to the lively beat.

Speaking with this publication, one member of the society said they are thankful for the meal, and that God has made everyone different, and He knows how they would live. “We know we are blind; some of us born this way, while some of us did not. It is not fair for us to live our lives unhappy; we need help more that anyone, because we cannot see. And we would like to thank the Commander for his offer, and looking forward for more,” the member said.

Commander Hicken said he was happy to be making such a donation. He said it is something that he loves, and he would continue to not only share meals, but donate other stuff to the Blind Society, among other institutions.

“When someone cannot see, it’s hard for them to help themselves; and I think that by donating stuff and helping the blind, I will make them feel happy,” Hicken said.

Residents of the Blind Society are appealing to the relevant authorities to remove several bee hives surrounding the building.
One resident told the Chronicle, “We cannot see; if one of the nests fall, how are we going to defend ourselves? I can hardly see, but someone needs to get those hives removed,” the man said.

There are approximately 10 bee hives attached to the roof of the institution.

(By Asif Hakim)