Fairmount Secondary School continued their support for the League of Friends of the Blind, which is situated near the school in Klip Road, by celebrating Blind Buddy Day on Friday May 25.
Teacher Fatima Molte said the school has a long-standing history of supporting Lofob with regular volunteer activities at the organisation.
“Today learners bought stickers for Blind Buddy day and wore sunglasses to create awareness about the needs of the blind community,” she said.
Funds raised went to Lofob.
Ms Molte says she is proud of the pupils’ achievement in creating awareness.
The school welcomed Thandolakhi Stuurman, a visually impaired pupil, into Grade 11 last year.
Thandolakhi, from Bloemfontein, was diagnosed with glaucoma in 2015 and started losing his sight.
“I was 17 years old when my sight began deteriorating, but I was determined to finish school. But there was no proper resources available to me” he says.
“My journey eventually led to Lofob who pointed me to Fairmount and I am overjoyed to be in Grade 12 with the help that I am getting from learners, like Naomi Yayabu, who volunteered to be my ‘eyes’.”
Naomi said: “I can play a part in Thandolakhi’s life by helping him get around because of his limited vision and I also make others aware of his challenges during breaks and in the class.
“It’s my way of paying it forward,” she said.