A LOCAL resident has urged residents to lend a helping hand to the non-profit organisation, Bright Eyes, a centre for visually impaired children. Member of the Fellowship Baptist Church in Somerset Park, Nicci Willis who recently joined Bright Eyes, said she was honoured to be part of a centre based in Bellevue Road, Durban.
Its staff are dedicated to caring, educating and supporting blind and visually impaired children and their families. The centre was established nine years ago. Due to lack of funds and resources, the centre’s Cathryn Lee-Ann Aylett took to the Durban North Neigbour’s Facebook group, asking for assistance.
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“We looking for volunteers to teach one hour a week. Pottery lessons or gardening, baker or even music. We have 12 little people of which seven are visually impaired. We have facilitators to assist, we just really want to add to their day in a meaningful way,” wrote a hopeful Aylett.
Fortunately for the centre, Willis who has a love for children and is always willing to assist where she can saw the post. She made contact and the rest as they say – was history.
“The day before I saw the post I asked God to show me a way where I can help. When I woke up the next morning I saw the post and thought to myself ‘well there you have it Nicci’. I’m also very active with the La Lucia Baby Home so helping children has always been what I do,” said Willis.
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Bright Eyes Centre offers offers their services to those who need them, regardless of their financial abilities and socio-economic status.
On it’s website the centre’s mission reads: “To provide the best possible levels of care, early intervention, inspired education and nurtured support to all visually impaired young children in our community, regardless of financial ,cultural or social standings.”
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Willis said she cannot wait to get started. “At first I was skeptical of contacting them, thinking that maybe they won’t need my services because I didn’t have much to offer. But I’m glad I contacted them. This also proved to me that everyone has something to offer when it comes to helping another person,” said Willis.
If you would like to donate or volunteer at the centre, contact them on 031 201 1951 or 084 251 7754. Alternatively email the centre’s managing Director Carron Strachan on carron@brighteyes.co.za
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