Institute for the Blind - Part 2 ~ Amanda's Books and More

Friday, September 18, 2015

Institute for the Blind - Part 2

Welcome to my weekend blog hop -

Make My Saturday Sweet #144!

My blog is best viewed in Google Chrome.
Click on the images to view them larger.

Institute for the Blind

I introduced this 2-part series last Friday.
If you missed it, then I recommend
that you read Part 1 first.

Institute for the Blind - Part 1

Institute for the Blind - Part 2

The Institute for the Blind in Worcester, South Africa, offers a safe haven for the visually impaired, multi-disabled and deaf-blind adults. There are a variety of skills that are taught and each individual is given the opportunity to lead a meaningful life to the capacity that he/she is able.

A big part of the skills training include the six production units: the Mattress Department, the Woodworking Department, the Weaving Department, the Cane Department, the Creative Projects Department, and the Metal Department. Here, the adult residents at the Blind Institute create beautiful, high-quality products. Having fulfilling jobs allow them to lead meaningful lives. They also take pride in knowing that they are able to make a vital contribution to the country's working sector.

The Mattress Department

Springs for the mattresses -
Our guide, Ledivia, is
explaining the process

Adding the layers to a spring mattress

The Woodworking Department

Some of the wood products

The Weaving Department

Some of the quality products for sale
from the different departments,
including the Weaving Department.

Some of the beautiful
Cane Department products

Some of the decorative items from
the Creative Projects Department

Dominica's Story - She went blind as
a young adult and her world fell apart.
She has found a new start with the
skills training she has received in
Marketing, as a Call Center Agent,
and in Telephony.

A message from Freddie Botha
(the Executive Head) -
he introduces the coffee shop
and new coffee "Blindiana Blend"

Joseph - South Africa's first blind barista

Freddie Botha explains the new name
for the Institute for the Blind, Worcester:
Kaleidoscope - Let the blind lead.

"Life is like an ever shifting kaleidoscope; a slight change and all patterns alter." - Sharon Salzberg

"The idea behind a kaleidoscope is that it's a structure that's filled with broken bits and pieces, and somehow if you can look through them, you still see something beautiful. And I feel that we are all that way a little bit." - Sara Bareiles

All the guests were served
an Italian style lunch and
delicious desserts afterwards.

*********************

*********************

Make My Saturday Sweet is a weekend blog hop for all family friendly blogs. You are welcome to link your favorite post from the past week(s) and to visit the last link before yours and leave a sweet comment. It's a really easy and fun way to make new friends and to catch up on old acquaintances.

Now on to my blog hop...