Braille Printer for the visually impaired students

Joyous faces and smiles could be seen all around in the 'Blind section' of Amar Singh High School in Pokhara. More than fifty visually impaired students joined in along with other guests from UNICEF, radio program SSMK and the school management.The lawn situated in the backyard of the school was decorated with balloons and sitting arrangements were made. Microphones, keyboardand madhal(Nepali drums) were set up along with a sound mixer and a table with some apparatus could be seen covered with a nice sheet of cloth. It was a big day for the visually impaired students of Amar Singh High School as it was a day for the handover of the long awaited Braille Printer which was promised to them by UNICEF's goodwill ambassador 'Tetsuko' who visited them about two years ago.

 

The students of the school had formed a blind listeners' club in 2002/2003to listen to UNICEF supported radio program 'SaathiSangaManka Kura' (chatting with my best friend), which talks to them about young people's issues and imparts life skills to tackle problems they face in their day to day lives.

 

To observe one of UNICEF's most successful initiatives, UNICEF''s goodwill ambassador from Japan Tetsuko had gone to visit the blind listener's in 2009. She was so touched by the generosity of the visually impaired students who had told her about the inconvenience they had to face because of unavailability of a Braille Printer. Tetsuko,did not promise but assured that she would try her best to get them a Braille printer through fund raising. The day finally came as the Braille printer was about to be handed over to school management of Amar Singh High School in a function organized by the children themselves.

 

The event started with a beautiful duet sung by two visually impaired students from the school followed by a drama which highlighted the importance of a braille printer for visually impaired students as books for the sighted did not mean much to them. They seemed to be very excited as Patigya, one of the students mentioned that it would take 20-25 days to convert a normal book to the braille form and now with the printer it could be done within a few hours. The event was also coveted by local radio television and print media. 

 

The president of the student listener club, GautamPokhrel thanked UNICEF and everyone who have supported them so far. The chief of communication in UNICEF John Brittainappreciated the students warn warmth during each of his visit and praised their talents and zeal. E-mail sent by Tetsuko addressing the students was translated and read out by communication expert Rupa Joshi and the students listened to it with great interest. Both the principal of the school and coordinator appreciated UNICEF's concern and willingness to support the students and that this hand over would be of great value to the students. The coordinator assured that the printer would be optimally used for the welfare of the visually impaired students.

 

All the distinguished guests lifted the sheet that covered the computer and the printer and handed it over to the student and management of the school. The manual for the braille printer which was in Braille itself was read out by a visually impaired student and songs and dances continued till late evening. The day had come to an end but the students seemed very happy and excited for a new start in their life after the braille printer's arrival.

 

Words: Kaustuv Pokhrel