Most contribute what they can to the very high cost of schooling during the early years but as the cost of secondary schooling are even higher, they often find the struggle impossible.
So when the children are finished with high school, some of their blind friends won’t be among them. Fact is, blind children have to learn so much more -without the ability to ready braille, a vast trove of knowledge is closed to them. And then they must learn to master specialised computers, how to make notes in braille, the use of tape recorders … and all this needs more teachers, more hours and more equipment.
Let us make sure many of the blind children finish school and go on to become valuable contributing South Africans. Our Learner’s Fund is something we’ve been working on for some time and the potential is as immense as the need:
*translating text books and producing them in braille is expensive and beyond the reach of many
*providing transport to and from a special school can costs hundreds of rands on a monthly basis
*specialised computers and tape recorders are essential for blind students at high school level
*and Perkings Braillers are essential in helping students with braille fluency and making their own study notes.
So, can we write a better story for the children who have to learn without sight? I know we can.
Please join me in making this a reality – a gift to our Learner’s Fund now will give more children an equal chance of finishing school.
Cathy Donaldson, president Blind SA
*This is an extract from a letter by Cathy Donaldson – you can contact Blind SA 011 839 1793/4.
