[dropcap type=”default”]O[/dropcap]ne of the largest eye donation campaigns in the world, was conducted in connection with the World Sight Day on Thursday, October 13 2016 through a very innovative program called the World Blind Walk organized in 55 locations across five countries by Project Vision.
[column width=”50%”]The Walk was conducted in US, China, Sri Lanka and Nepal apart from all major cities in India. About 5000 visually challenged people led 25,000 people in a blind folded Walk that ended with a pledge to donate eyes and help the cause of the visually challenged people across the World. In Sri Lanka, the Colombo Blind Walk was organized by Rotary Club of Colombo Mid Town along with the Rotaract Clubs of Achievers Lanka Business School, Australian College of Business and Technology, Faculty of Management & Finance – University of Colombo and Colombo Mid Town.[/column]
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[column width=”50%”] The walk commenced at Royal College premises with close to 200 visually challenged people leading 80 blindfolded people in a walk towards the Colombo University Grounds. This was followed by the creation of a human mosaic in the shape of a visually challenged individual using a white cane. Members of the Sri Lanka Foundation for the Visually Handicapped and finalists of Friends In Action entertained the audience with jokes and songs. [/column]
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Often are we thankful that we are given such a blessed life where we can see and hear everything around. When I spoke to the visually challenged they were full of positivity and interest. They engage in small home based businesses or vending at a local market. This clearly showed me that they never let their disability stop them from achieving their goals. Taking part in the Blind Walk, I could not keep my eyes closed and walk for even 10 seconds, but I was determined not to remove the blindfold, thus we all walked together, hand in hand. It was a truly moving experience.
RACALBS