School For the Blind

We recently had the opportunity to visit another school of several hundred students in the town of Akropong. It is a boarding school, so the students live their year round and go on leave for the holidays. We visited the craft shop while school was in session and saw the students weaving baskets and trays out of wood. They had sponges with water to make the wood soft and bendable. Once these projects are finished the school sells them. They also have rugs, foot stools, wreaths, and an assortment of beaded jewelry for sale. We chatted with a few of the students while they were working on their projects. I saw one boy with a large book opened in front of him and asked him what he was reading. He said he was reading the book of the Gospel of John, chapter 3 about Nicodemus. This is the account in which Jesus states, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” When you are outside among the students there is one thing you have to be mindful of—they are blind. You would not know it from the looks of the campus since the students know their way around and walk around freely without hindrance. They are so confident in their steps that we sometimes nearly forgot to give them right away on the paths. Although they cannot see with their eyes, the students know their way around by using other senses. They can recognize people through their voice and even by smell. They can do their own laundry and know their own clothes according to smell. They are very aware of their surroundings and use their memory as sight.

We had the pleasure of attending a special music chapel sponsored by the students. They sang very beautifully, all in their specific parts and sometimes breaking into a round of melodies. One group came up to share a powerful song which states, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory, honor and power belong to the Lord our God.” I had the privilege of sharing a song with them on my mandolin. After singing “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” they erupted in wild applause. They have such enthusiasm and joy as they sing. There is a quote painted on the front wall of the chapel which states “Disability is Not Inability.” This school provides the children the opportunity to receive a specialized education and the resources to have a successful life. It was founded by the Presbyterian Church and now the school has a partnership with the government to provide funding. Graduates from this school have gone on to do great things, including a Ghanaian government official, a woman, who graduated from this school and is now giving back to her country. I don’t want to take for granted the simple blessings of life such as my sight, but even more so I want to be able to have joy like these kids amidst all of life’s situations.