Fiji Society for the Blind faces challenges due to COVID-19

The Fiji Society for the Blind has been facing challenges due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

It is the only agency providing rehabilitation, education, training and assistance to people who are blind or partially sighted throughout Fiji.

Executive Director, Barbara Farouk says it is very expensive to educate the blind and visually impaired people in Fiji.

She says most of the items such as white canes and braille papers are not produced locally and therefore it needs additional costs to order from other countries.

Farouk adds that the global pandemic has also affected the school roll as some of the parents who are left without jobs cannot afford to rent in urban areas and this has left them with no option but to take their children back to their villages.

She also says that the donations that are given to them by other organisations are very helpful during this pandemic as it contributes to the children's learning and development process.

17 students are enrolled in the school this year.