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The New Horizon Evangelical Presbyterian Educational Centre for the Blind in Ho, has taken delivery of 15 visually impaired user friendly mobile phones from Ms Bettina Afi Hewlett, a friend of the Centre.

The Centre was also given two desktop computers, one box of hand sanitizers, 100 pieces of nose masks, bags of rice, 15 bottles of cooking oil, and 30 canned fishes.

Ms Hewlett said the gesture was aimed at helping children with visual impairment and their teachers to continue with their academic work at home in the wake of COVID-19.

She said visually impaired children could do well academically when they had access to user friendly software such as tablet and computers that could convert normal texts into braille.

Ms Hewlett commended the management of the Centre and the teachers for grooming the children and encouraged them to continue as persons with visual impairment also had potentials that could help develop society when properly nurtured.

She implored the management to ensure that the items were properly maintained and also put to good use to benefit the children.

Ms Hewlett entreated the public not to shy away from children with disabilities but show them love and care just as done to abled children.

“Having a disability doesn’t mean that you are useless or hopeless, there is something in you that God can use to the benefit of human kind and to the glory of His name,” she said.

Mr. Eric Kwablah Ofori, Director for the Centre, said access to technological equipment had been a challenge and deprived visually impaired children from participating in the main stream educational system even though they could perform well.

He said children with low visuals who needed special attention and assistance in schools were disregarded hence their failure in academics.

Mr. Ofori commended Ms Hewlett for the kind gesture, saying, it would go a long way to help the children academically, and also appealed for support from other benevolent organizations and individuals.

Reverend Mrs. Nyuieme Adiepena, National Women’s Programme Officer of the E.P Church Ghana, said people should stop stigmatising persons with disability and women and children, and rather help them achieve their purpose in life.

She called on individuals and stakeholders to come on board to support the Centre achieve its goal of educating and grooming visually impaired children.