The Guyana Society for the Blind (GSB) in a statement has expressed sincere gratitude for the kind charitable contribution from the Seaboard Overseas Trading Group (SOTG) through its local subsidiary the National Milling Company of Guyana (Namilco). The contribution was handed over on behalf of the Managing Director of Namilco, Mr. Bert Sukhai by Financial Controller Fitzroy McLeod to the President of the GSB, Mr. Cecil Morris.
The Guyana Society for the Blind which has been in existence since the early 1950s is the premiere organisation of and for persons who are blind and visually impaired in Guyana. The organisation operates on a national scale from its headquarters located at 44 High Street, Werk-En-Rust, Georgetown. Additionally, there are two (2) inactive chapters in Linden and New Amsterdam.
Presently GSB has a national membership of approximately two hundred and fifty (250) persons who are blind and visually impaired. Programmes and Services offered include:
§ Computer skills training using JAWS.
§ Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) classes for persons who are blind and visually impaired, persons with physical disabilities and persons with mild learning disabilities.
§ The teaching of craft.
§ Distribution of white canes.
§ Orientation and mobility skills training.
§ Braille classes.
The Seaboard Overseas Trading Group lists among its missions, the promoting of health, education of children, empowerment of women, assisting with programs dedicated to improving public health, eliminating hunger, promoting nutrition, developing sustainable agriculture, and providing funding for other worthy causes. They have been making annual donations to worthy causes in Guyana over the past decade through their local subsidiary and organizations which have benefitted include Beacon Foundation Ltd., Bal Nivas, the Dharm Shala, Ptolemy Reid Center, and the Doobay Medical Clinic.
Mr. Morris thanked Namilco for the donation which allows the Guyana Society for the Blind to address urgently needed infrastructure work including the rehabilitation of the roof of their buildings, and to purchase some badly needed equipment. Also, in attendance at the handing over ceremony were Namilco’s Marketing Supervisor Ms. Alicia Anderson and employees of the GSB.
