Nothing's impossible at Lop Buri school for disabled kids
Visitors to a school for the blind and disabled in Lop Buri express amazement at the many skills and courage of its young students. Despite their disabilities, nothing seems impossible.
The school was founded in 1997 by the Christian Foundation for the Blind in Thailand under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King and has found novel ways to raise funds for its support.
Recently, the foundation introduced a project at the school called “Por Bun Mae Uopatum” (foster parents). It supports the students individually in their education through donations of Bt500 each month until Mathayom 3.
They also opened a new dormitory called “Rom Yen” (peace). On an open day, the blind students were seen as being supremely in control, helping themselves by walking as non-blind people do, without canes.
The school has taught them many skills such as making salted eggs, microwaving meals and sewing clothes. The blind children and other disabled students have set up their own musical group called the Stylus Band. They practice every day and the band takes outside jobs as well.
Instructor Jittipum Chaiyabon school said the children have developed good musical skills.
“They have good memories and better hearing than non-blind students, translating music through listening,” he said.
When they graduate, the young people will have to help themselves in the outside world, so the school is helping develop their confidence and independence and to prepare for these challenges, Jittipum said.
