Forging bonds: Participants holding up their handmade lanterns at the event.
FROM playing the harmonica to whipping up homemade muffins, the visually impaired have a range of talents that often go unnoticed.
In an effort to raise awareness of this particular community, the corporate communication final year students at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) recently organised an event themed “Eye Believe” in collaboration with the Malaysian Association for the Blind (MAB) and the Society of the Blind in Malaysia (SBM).
Also present at the event, which brought together both normally sighted and visually impaired participants to foster inclusivity in society, were Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) councillor Lim Kim Eng, MAB chief executive officer Datuk George Thomas and SBM Kuala Lumpur branch head Rosnah Ahmad.
Citing the fast pace and constant change in day-to-day living, Lim said finding moments of genuine significance is rare.
“Today is one of those rare moments that remind us of our humanity, our interconnectedness, and our potential to bring about change,” she said in a press release dated Sept 15.
George said the organisers’ efforts had been woven together by the belief that by joining forces, they could make a lasting impact on creating awareness and an inclusive society for the visually impaired.
“The journey has been marked by shared challenges, innovative solutions, and the joy of witnessing progress unfold before our eyes,” he said at the event, which featured a series of activities.
The “Eye-Ron Man” activity saw the visually impaired showcasing their talents, such as singing songs and playing the harmonica, setting up booths selling handicraft products and homemade muffins, and even offering massage services.
Some visually impaired speakers also took the opportunity to share their life journeys.
At the “Lens of Love” gallery, artworks from the visually impaired were put on display for viewing, as well as sale with the proceeds going to the MAB and the SBM.
In addition, another activity at the event paired students with the visually impaired for a lantern-making session to celebrate the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Lantern or Mooncake Festival.
