Elder and Sister Edwards

Uygur Blind School

Sept. 24, 2012, Monday, was the closing date of the project at Uygur Blind School.  We visited the school to see how the computers, tables and chairs were working for the students attending the school.  We were greeted by Dr. Yusuf Sayadan, (who is also blind), the director of the school, and his daughter.  (Also pictured is our translator, Seda, and a man who wanted to have his picture taken.)  After a brief visit, we were taken on a tour of the classrooms where the computers, tables and chairs, provided by the church, were seen in use. 



The tables were custom-made for each room, to utilize the size and shape of the classroom area available.  The personnel called our attention to the quality of the chairs, and it was apparent how very pleased and grateful they were for them.

 

 

We also visited classrooms where the students were being instructed on four computers provided by the church.  These students were typing with special computer software for the blind where they would type a letter and a voice would make the sound of the letter they typed (and if they typed the wrong letter, it would let them know that also!)  It was remarkable how quickly some of the students were working.

 

Students attend this school for several purposes:

·         Preparing for university entrance exams

·         Sports participation

·         PC (Personal Computer) training

·         High School training for grades 9 to 12

·         English language instruction

This is a picture of a young man (and his very devoted and proud mother) who recently passed a university eterance exam.  He also plays 20 musical instruments and promised to invite us to his musical concert in the spring.

 

As mentioned, some students are enrolled to participate in sports.  This young lady (with impaired sight) has earned the title as world weight lifting champion.  She works in the administrative office.  I couldn’t resist having my picture taken with her.

 

 

Here we are being shown the trophies recently awarded when they were the victors in football tournament played at Adana, Turkey.  Notice three additional trophies in the background.  They will be participating again in the spring.

 

Elder Edwards is holding a Turkish football.   As the participants in the game are blind, this football has several bells in it to let players know where the ball is.  I was surprised how heavy or weighted the ball felt.  

 

Below are pictured three different kinds of balls.  They all have

bells in them and the red and white ball is the Turkish football,

not the blue one.

 

 

 

We were shown their championship game on one of the new PCs the church provided for them. 

 

 

All the trainers and other help are volunteers.  The government pays the students 20 TL per day, plus minimum medical insurance while they attend school.  The school has been given some new facilities so that the enrollment of the school can expand.  They are very excited about this.  There have many more students who would like to attend and they want to accommodate all who would like to enroll.  Their goal is not to turn anyone away from the school who applies for entrance.

The staff and students appreciated what the church had provided for their school.  This was our second visit to this school, and it has been a wonderful experience each time.  We hope we will see them again.