Seven student volunteers who act as sighted guides to help persons with visual impairments find their way around campus have been rewarded for their volunteering services.
For their humanitarian gesture, the volunteers, aptly described by the visually impaired students as their lifesavers when going out for lectures on campus, were each presented with undisclosed cash by two philanthropists.
The kind gesture by the two well-meaning individuals - Mr. Isaac Nortey and Miss. Grace Asiam - was to inspire other students to act as volunteers to assist visually impaired students similarly.
Donating, Mr. Isaac Nortey, who is a staff member at the Sam Jonah Library at UCC, explained that he had been seeing sighted students assisting virtually impaired students on campus. As a result, he discussed the idea of supporting the volunteers with his friend, Grace Asam, who welcomed the idea.
Mr. Nortey noted that the attitude of the students to willingly offer free services to their colleagues living with visual impairment was worthy of commendation.
Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Educational Foundations, Prof. Lebbaeus Asamani presenting an amount of money to one of the volunteers. Looking on is Mr. Isaac Nortey one of the donors
The Centre for Alternative Media and Assistive Technology Coordinator, Prof. Irene Vanderpuye expressed her appreciation to the benefactors for the support.
She said several people had glossed over the assistance some sighted students offer to visually impaired persons on campus and hailed the donors for drawing their attention.
Prof. Vanderpuye said celebrating and honouring the volunteers were essential, since they dedicated their skills, time and efforts to serving humanity, adding, "We say thank you to all volunteers for your selfless efforts."
The Coordinator challenged students to cultivate the habit of volunteerism which she said was a tool for accelerated national development.
On his part, the Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Educational Foundations, Prof. Lebbaeus Asamani, commended the volunteers for their kindness despite their busy academic schedules and was full of gratitude to the philanthropists.
He said the recognition of the efforts of the volunteers would motivate and drive other students to willingly help their colleagues with special needs in the University.
Prof. Asamani urged the youth to embrace volunteerism as a way of contributing to national development.
At the event, each of the visually impaired students took turns to express gratitude to Mr. Isaac Nortey and Miss. Grace Asiam, who was unable to attend the donation, for their exemplary gesture.
Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC