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In 1999, we began offering a preschool program for blind children in the Metro Manila area. Preschool is especially important
for preparing blind children to enroll as integrated students in regular elementary schools. Our trained teacher, Amy Mojica, works
with about twenty blind preschoolers, teaching them the basic skills that they will need to succeed in a class of sighted students.
They begin by learning to use their other senses to get the information they need. They also learn techniques for walking safely,
both in and out of the classroom. Lastly, they will learn to read and write in braille.
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Mama, I want to be an RBI staff!
When Maricor Book was born three months early, the doctors told her mother that she wouldn't live through the
night. Two months later, they were calling her "super baby" of the NICU. Only when they were ready to take
her home did they learn that Maricor was blind a result of her premature birth.
In 1999, when Maricor was three, they heard about RBI on DZAS and brought her to our office for an interview.
That year Maricor joined our preschool program. Her mother says "It not only helped Maricor, but it helped me
also, I used to think that I should do everything for her; dress her, bathe her, feed her. Here we learned
that blind children should be independent and do things for themselves. She was still in diapers and drinking
from a bottle when we came to RBI. Now she can go to the CR by herself, drink from a cup, use a spoon and fork,
and she even chooses what dress she wants to wear each day. She also learned how to mingle and communicate with
other people. And now she can read and write braille!"
"I used to think how will it be for her when she grows up? Will she forever depend on me? I was not afraid to
die for her sake. But now its different…now I know she has a bright future. I know that the Lord has His
reasons and it's not that hard for me to accept it."
"I have high hopes for Maricor. She knows she needs to strive hard in her studies. She wants to excel. She
even told me these words, "Mama, when I grow up I would like to be an RBI staff."
This year we have fifty-five blind preschoolers enrolled in our program. Our thanks to all those who make
our preschool program for blind children possible.
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Pre-School for Blind Children Photo Gallery
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Child Sponsorship
