100 visually impaired persons across 6 regions receive assistive aids

Some 100 blind or visually impaired individuals from Regions Two (Pomeroon–Supenaam), Three (Essequibo Islands–West Demerara), Four (Demerara–Mahaica), Five (Mahaica–Berbice), Six (East Berbice–Corentyne), and Ten (Upper Demerara–Upper Berbice) received a variety of assistive and mobility aids. This generous donation was made possible by the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD) in collaboration with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
In a statement released by GCOPD on Wednesday, representatives from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Kory Sellers and Diane Sellers, expressed their honor in partnering with GCOPD to support individuals disadvantaged by blindness or vision impairments.
“We know that with proper assistance and skills training, that these individuals can also become productive members of society, and this is our aim and goal as a church, to help others learn to help themselves,” a representative said.
Meanwhile highlighting the significance of the donation, Sheldon Deputron a beneficiary from Region Two, said, “I can now sign my name independently using the signature guide”. Edwin Daniels a beneficiary from Region Three also expressed thanks for the donation and said “I don’t have to ask anyone to tell me the time I can now get the time with my talking watch”.
Meanwhile, Ganesh Singh of GCOPD highlighted that there are additional items to be distributed to the beneficiaries of GCOPD’s Orientation and Mobility programme and this will be done by the training officers in the coming weeks.
This special humanitarian project is being implemented to ensure that persons who are blind and visually impaired have access to assistive and mobility aids. Additionally, some young persons with disabilities in educational institutions will benefit from tablet computers equipped with assistive applications. Both categories of recipients will receive the necessary training to effectively use the assistive aids and tablets. The aim of this project is to ensure that persons with disabilities can be able to live independent productive lives through the use of technology.
Kory Sellers and Diane Sellers, humanitarian missionaries – Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Ganesh Singh, programme manager – GCOPD, Rosemarie Ramitt, programme officer – GCOPD as well as other members of the Church and GCOPD participated in the distributions.