Twenty-four blind and visually impaired children from Regions Three and Four participated in a three-day Independent Living Skills Camp aimed at building their confidence, independence and self-reliance.
The camp, held from July 22 to 24, was organised by the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD) in partnership with the Ministry of Education through the Office of the Assistant Chief Education Officer for Special Education Needs/Disability.
According to a GCOPD statement, the participants were selected by their respective Special Education Needs officers in collaboration with their teachers. The programme was supported by the United Women for Special Children and ExxonMobil Guyana.
During the camp, the children participated in interactive and practical sessions covering personal organisation, orientation and mobility, home management, financial literacy and sensory development.
They were also exposed to science, technology, engineering and mathematics activities, including the construction of robot cars and simple science experiments. Adaptive sports such as blind cricket and golf were also offered, along with team-building exercises intended to improve communication, collaboration and self-confidence.
Speaking at the closing ceremony on July 24, Assistant Chief Education Officer for Special Education Needs/Disability Dr Keon Cheong said children with disabilities should be taught practical life skills from an early age.
“Independent living skills are fundamental to ensuring that children with disabilities grow into confident, capable, and independent adults,” Cheong said.
He added that programmes such as the camp allowed children to learn through experience while developing the confidence to participate fully in their homes, schools and communities.
Cheong also commended the partnership between the Education Ministry and GCOPD, saying that such initiatives strengthened inclusive education and improved outcomes for learners with disabilities.
GCOPD Programme Manager Ganesh Singh said the camp represented more than three days of activities for the children.
“It provides opportunities to develop lifelong skills, build friendships, increase self-confidence, and discover that blindness or visual impairment should never be a barrier to living an independent and meaningful life,” he said.
Singh said GCOPD remained committed to creating opportunities for children with disabilities to realise their full potential.
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