Voice of the Disabled Center enjoys ‘soft opening’ – Searchlight
posted on
It has not yet been officially opened, but the Sans Souci Disability Voice Center has begun to welcome its constituents – people with various types of disabilities.
The soft opening of the Center took place on Tuesday May 24 a few months before the organization itself marks its seventh year of operation on October 22.
Cheryl Adams, who runs Voice of the Disabled, told SEARCHLIGHT that in this initial phase, people who come forward will learn how to make scrap mats, crochet and engage in small-scale farming to keep them occupied and give them the opportunity to make a little income.
Adams, who has been blind since childhood, was pleased that six of the eight people expected showed up and felt at home.
A Braille and computer teacher for the visually impaired at the Georgetown School for Special Needs Children in Georgetown, Adams, a mother of a young adult daughter, said she believes she fulfills her purpose by leading the center’s activities .
“I’m very passionate about people with disabilities,” Adams told SEARCHLIGHT, “I strongly believe it’s my calling from God.”
In March this year, the organization received support under a project funded under Australia’s Direct Aid program which enabled it to renovate what was an old, unused building and turn it into a place which, at full capacity, will become a dynamic center for people with disabilities.
Another donor is providing supplies which will include Braille machines and computers. Adams said when these arrive and are installed, hopefully before the end of July this year, the organization will officially open the Center and roll out a more structured program. The Department of National Mobilization, to which Adams is now attached, provided support, including the services of a person from the SET program who should help market the Center and what the participants produce. And the local business community has been an encouraging and supportive partner when approached, Adams said.
It is expected that social engagement involving participants will be a component of the proposed activities. Currently, the Center has dominoes and bingo games in Braille as well as two guitars and a keyboard and is looking for the help of a volunteer to teach the instruments.