Bank provides financial support to visually impaired children

WESTPAC Bank has donated SBD$5000 to support the purchase of essential computer equipment for the Disability Support Centre.Westpac General Manager Peter Warnett, last week handed a cheque worth $5,000 to Vice President of the Disability Support Group Joy Dyer for the computer equipment.Mr Warnett said the donation was one way Westpac could contribute to the community beyond providing a wide range of banking and business services to Solomon Islands.

“Westpac hopes this donation will help the Centre and the children attending it,” Mr Warnett said.The annual donation from the Westpac Bank and its involvement in the other fund raising activities undertaken by the Disability Support Group plays a significant role in the successful continuation of the work of the Disability Support Group.

The Disability Support Group, who have a commitment to assist the visually impaired children of the Solomon Islands, undertook a building program which resulted in the successful completion of the Disability Support Centre at Panatina Fields in mid-2005. Since that time resources and equipment have progressively been gathered and installed in readiness for the opening of the Centre.

The first high school age students commenced classes in late 2005 with a teacher from the Community Based Rehabilitation Service who now works from the Disability Support Centre. Following the fencing of the Centre’s grounds the facility has now been opened to younger children and the first preschool and primary students have commenced in the last few weeks.

The specialist teacher and support staff at the Centre will work with the children and their families to assist them in educational and daily life skills to ensure that the children have the best chance of attending normal school successfully.Parents who think their child may benefit from the services of the Disability Support Centre should make an appointment for review with the Eye Clinic at the National Referral Hospital.

Dr Adu, Head of Department at NRH, and the DSC team work closely together to ensure that appropriate support will be given to visually impaired children and their families.