Team Herald
PANJIM: As the Goa branch of the National Association for the Blind (NAB) celebrates 42 years of dedicated service, the organisation continues to grapple with the challenge of securing financial support to sustain its work for the visually impaired.
The NAB Goa State Branch, located in Santa Cruz, is commemorating its 42nd anniversary with an alumni meet under the theme “Vision Beyond Sight.” The event aims to highlight the capabilities of the visually impaired and demonstrate that they can achieve just as much as their sighted counterparts, aided by advancements in technology that go beyond Braille.
As part of the celebrations, NAB will felicitate over 50 alumni who have secured employment, regardless of the scale of their jobs. Employers who have demonstrated inclusivity by offering opportunities to the visually impaired will also be honoured. Additionally, assistive aids, appliances, and the latest technology designed to enhance education for visually impaired students will be showcased at the event.
Mahadev Sawant, an ex-student of the NAB branch in Santa Cruz and an Executive Member of the organisation, emphasised NAB’s role in promoting inclusivity. “NAB is the only NGO that works for inclusivity. Here, students are integrated into regular schools so that sighted students can learn about visual impairment, while visually impaired students experience mainstream education,” he said.
Currently, the NAB branch in Santa Cruz provides training for 30 students with partial or full visual impairment. However, funding remains a major challenge. Rozendo Mendonca, Vice-President of NAB Goa, spoke about the financial constraints the organisation faces. “Securing funds is an ongoing struggle. The government does provide some assistance. We currently operate from a renovated old government school, which has been taken on a long lease. However, most of our funding comes from personal donations and support,” he explained.
Mendonca further elaborated on the financial needs of the institution, stating, “We receive some funding through the Social Welfare Department, but our monthly expenses amount to Rs 5 lakh. NAB is the only boarding facility for the visually impaired in Goa." He also outlined the organisation’s ambitious expansion plans, which include a new facility estimated to cost nearly Rs 12 crore. “We are in the process of securing the necessary government approvals. Our goal is to accommodate 100 children,” he added. Speaking on the challenges of integrating visually impaired students into mainstream schools, Sawant remarked, “Most of our students study at the Santa Cruz school, but when we approach new educational institutes, we often encounter hesitation and uncertainty. We are working to support these schools by providing the necessary curriculum and apparatus required for our students' education."
Despite financial constraints, NAB Goa remains committed to its mission of empowering the visually impaired, ensuring they receive the education, skills, and opportunities they need to lead independent and fulfilling lives.