Blind Institute facing extreme security treats

…calls to have increased security

The Guyana Society for the Blind (GSB) — located on St Phillip’s Green between High and Princess streets and Durban and Smyth streets in the Georgetown ward of Werk-en-Rust — has, for a number of years, been faced with spiralling incidents of security threats.
This institution was created to assist Guyanese with visual impairment, but the threat it faces has been revealed by members of the institution, who note that this perilous situation has been ongoing for quite some time, and must be dealt with to ensure that their lives are no longer endangered.
GSB president, Cecil Morris, explained that throughout the day, many vagrants make a thoroughfare of the alleyway that leads to the blind institute.
“You have all kinds of people walking here, and most of them are junkies; so you don’t know what can happen,” he explained.
While vagrants are the issue by day, GBS residents are worried about intruders during the night. They feel that installation of a security guard to overlook the property is a dire necessity, and are calling on not just governmental agencies, but any private security entity that would be willing to assist them in this regard.
“If some security company could come forward and give us some security, we would be very grateful for that. We’re open to anything that is necessary for a human to live a comfortable life. We’re willing to accept donations, because our people are in need and we like to know that we can provide them with the basic comforts,” Morris detailed.
GSB residents recalled an incident that occurred earlier this year, when armed bandits invaded the institution and assaulted several residents. Traumatised since then, many are afraid of what can happen in the future if they remain defenceless.
Although security is presently of utmost importance to the GBS residents, there are other items which they also need. Morris indicated that his colleagues would most gratefully appreciate donated furniture, since the organisation is home to more than 160 registered members, and the few chairs available are not sufficient to accommodate the number of individuals present on a daily basis.
The GSB also does not have a refrigerator to store perishable items received as donations, and would immeasurably appreciate such a gift from any kind-hearted member of the public, or any entity willing to make such a gift.
This publication was also told that some GSB members do not possess walking canes to assist them as they go about their daily lives. An appeal is thus being made for assistance in this regard.
Morris said computers are also a critical need, as those are very necessary when members are sitting examinations.
As an institution, Morris said, the GBS is open to all of its members, who come from various regions across the country to participate in activities that are available throughout the day.