It was all smiles at the Irving Wilson School as blind and visually impaired students beamed with excitement over a transformative gift: their collection of braille books alongside a brand-new Little Library.
The donation came about through the founder of the Let Me Read charity, Niomi Jordan of Harrison’s College.
Jordan, who has been an advocate for special needs students, brought together the Godwill D Fomusoh Foundation (PGDFF) and the Massy Foundation to open the Little Library at the school.
She expressed her gratitude for the collaboration, though she admitted it was completely coincidental.
“There was a family friend that we had a conversation with, and she relayed us to the founder of PGDFF, and in doing so, she opened up a new door. Communication between us enabled us to bring this Little Library to the Irving Wilson School, and in essence, I’m eternally grateful to her.”
Pediatrician Dr Kandamaran Krishnamurthy, PGDFF’s global health director, highlighted the importance of providing reading material for all children: “Providing reading knowledge for children is essential.”
He expressed his gratitude for being part of this programme that gives back to children by providing them with access to reading books. “Now we have come here for visually challenged children and we are offering the braille books for them, which is important, which is vital. We found that it is for their lifelong learning.”
Leonard Prescod, a director with the Massy Foundation and another key figure in the initiative, underscored the benefits of the partnership on the Barbados is Blooming project, which focuses on youth and skills development.
He said: “With Youth and Skills Development being one of our four main areas of focus, over the past year and a half of this collaboration, we were very heartened that the Little Libraries programme has encouraged literacy by allowing thousands of children in primary schools and community centres across the island to have greater access to positive reading material.”
The Little Libraries programme has expanded to 25 schools in Barbados, and this marks the second year of the Massy Foundation’s involvement. This is also their first donation of braille books.
“It’s the first time you’re doing something with braille, so everyone is now included in the activities,” Prescod said.
He pointed to the benefits of these special books: “It’s also very important to ensure that children with disabilities and special needs are not left out. So, we trust that these braille books will go a long way to motivate visually impaired students at the Irving Wilson School – so they can each learn to love reading and learning, enjoy more reading adventures, and feel included and self-confident as well.”
The teacher of the small group of visually impaired students, Isheba Cherrington, expressed heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the principal, staff, and students for the generous donation.
She said: “Donating this wonderful Little Library and reading resources, I guarantee you that these resources will be of great significance in enhancing the students’ learning as well as their love for reading, and I do hope that in the future you will be here to support us even further.”
louriannegraham@barbadostoday.bb
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