My feeling was one of pity. A string of questions as to why it should happen to such innocent ones now beginning life run through my mind. As we waited under some trees to be ushered into the hall, as I watched the children walking past, some holding hands, I pondered how their world feels like at this tender age.
It was in the hall that Joseph Atsu, the assistant head of the school drew my attention and perhaps that of my colleagues, to the fact that blind children do not need sympathy. They would rather ask for empathy, given the chance.
Himself a blind teacher, Joseph has taught in the school for years. As he recounted the academic achievements of the school to me, he did not hesitate to add, “The sky is the limit for the blind child.” He was right. By the time we left the school, I was left in no doubt that the children of the Akropong School for the Blind are very capable.
I have had the privilege of meeting and spending time with children suffering from cancer on admission at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. I have worked with and continue to work with children with learning disabilities and autism. I have visited some orphanages and partied with some orphans. In all cases, I have seen the aura of contentment, as if they have no pain in their world.
The glowing joyful faces of the children at Akropong School for the Blind reminded me that children, no matter their condition, are very unique. They always come across content, sweet and innocent. Is it not amazing how God adequately equips children, able or disabled?
My encounter last week with some adorable children at the Akropong School for the Blind and learning about their challenges has once again reminded me that as a society, we have neglected our duties. We have turned our backs to a section of the community and exposed them to a cruel world leaving them to catch up if they can.
Founded in 1945, the state School for the blind at Akropong is a laudable idea. The founders must have had not only the future of the individuals in mind but also their contribution to the advancement of society. The school is helping to shape the lives of the 355 blind children currently on enrolment so that they can fit into society one day.
From all indications, they have a bunch of committed teachers and carers who are passionate about helping each child to be himself or herself. The children are learning to lead independent lives as boarders, equip themselves with academic laurels and learn to appreciate the situation they are in through the counselling they are receiving as part of their education.
The headmistress, Madam Mahela Narh, and her team of teaching and non teaching staff are serving with so much passion, doing a great job in the training and upbringing of these children, some as young as four years. To test the level of training received, when I casually asked a little girl which house she was in she promptly replied, “House 3”. But how can a blind child differentiate her house from the others?
The children are being trained to know the act of differentiation. They are able to move from their houses to the dining hall, to their respective class rooms and the play fields for example. They play soccer and are able to follow the ball to score goals. They do their laundry and scrub their bathrooms all by themselves and are able to carry out other errands.
As we sat in the hall waiting for them to assemble, the older boys came in to set up the chairs and benches. They were so eager to welcome us and display some skills. Some of them started assembling their musical instruments until they were told that they were not going to be needed. That however, did not stop them from displaying the gift of music and good voices that God has blessed them with.
With ever infectious smiles on their faces, these children sang with strong steady voices some choruses. What moved me most was the singing of Charles Wesley’s famous hymn, “O for a thousand tongues to sing my great redeemer’s praise.” I was moved to tears. The accompanying clapping was so loud that one could immediately feel their sense of appreciation.
The school enrols children from kindergarten up to Junior High School (JHS); they go through the same curriculum and write the same Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) written by sighted children all over the country. The results have been very encouraging over the years.
A shining example and a good role model is that of one of the young teachers who went on to successfully complete a first degree at the University of Ghana. Not stopping there, he went on with a scholarship to do his masters in the UK. He is back to help train others at the school. How many of us would sacrifice this much by giving back to our alma mater?
With the encouraging BECE results from the school, some of the children have gained admission into some selected integrated Senior High Schools around the country. From there, some have entered the University of Ghana, University of Cape Coast and the University College of Education, Winneba while others have gone on to Teacher Training Colleges.
For those who are unable to enter secondary school, adequate provision is made for them. The school has a vocational section where they learn such skills as basket weaving, soap and powder making to help them lead independent lives in future.
However, the school has serious challenges. As a state institution, the subvention they receive from government is a paltry sum of GHC1.20 per day per child towards feeding. The school authorities therefore work tirelessly looking for donations to supplement their feeding and other budgets.
It looks to me that such state funded training institutions for the physically impaired are living in the wilderness. Certainly, the Akrpong School for the Blind needs help. At a time when GHC1.00 on Hausa koko and koose alone for breakfast is sometimes not enough, how do we expect three balanced meals to be served to growing children with a paltry GHC1.20 a day?
Between the Ministry of Education and the Department of Social Welfare, it is time to re-look and escalate the focus on Akropong School for the Blind and perhaps all other special schools who are playing crucial roles in the training of the disadvantaged children. Akropong needs assistance to cater adequately for the 355 young children, some as young as 4 years. We cannot abandon them to their fate.
Perhaps what is escaping all of us is that the 355 children at Akropong could have ended up being beggers on our streets and burdens for their families. It makes complete meaning to consider all such special schools for inclusion in the school feeding programme and to go even beyond to make breakfast and supper much better for them. It is time for the authorities to re-assess the state funding to these specialised institutions and give them realistic support. They need that kind of assistance for the children to continue to reach their limit – the sky.
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Feature: The sky is the limit for the blind child