Genevive Low Vision Aids History of the White Cane Massage Back
|
He Sampran Rehabilitation and Vocational Training Center for the Blind was established by the Foundation for the Blind in
Thailand under the Royal Patronage of H.M. the Queen because of its concern for the older female students of the Bangkok
School for the Blind. It was felt that they should have a separate training center to help improve their basic skills before
vocational training.
The Board of Directors of the Foundation purchased 2 rais of land for the Center. At the end of B.E. 2524 (1981) a two storied
building was built with a total construction cost of approximately 6,500,000 Baht. In the academic year of 1982, 27 older female
students in the handicraft section of the Bangkok School for the Blind moved to this the new Sampran Vocational Training Center
for Blind Women.
The Center provides vocational training on a non-gratuity basis. The Foundation for the Blind in Thailand is responsible for all
cost and fees including cost for accommodations and education.
The Sampran Rehabilitation and Vocational Training Center for the Blind admits female students between the ages of 15 and 35.
Some of the clients have previously attended the Bangkok School for the Blind but could not continue their studies while other
clients have never had the opportunity for education any of the clients are orphans who live upcountry.
The main objective of the Center is to train the female women to lead independent lives and not be burdens to their families.
They learn many activities of daily living such as cooking , housework etc. Supplementary training programs are available in
knitting, crochet and carpet making Thai music and piano course are also taught, as is Thai traditional massage.
The curriculum of the Sampran Rehabilitation and Vocational Training Center for the Blind is presently divided into three areas:
the training of basic skills, vocational training, and academic education.
The Center admits students from January to May each year. The training takes three to five years to complete.
The semester startd from June and ends in February of the subsequent year. Students pay maintenance fees in accordance with
their financial means.
Training in activities of daily living such as washing and ironing clothes, cleaning the house, cooking, washing dishes etc. This
training is offered so that the young women can do these activities for themselves and not be a burden to other people.
Vocational training emphasizes handicraft work such as knitting, crochet, carpet and rattan weaving and macrame. The training is
performed from elementary level to advance level until the blind women can perform the activities independently.
Supplementary training courses are offered in Thai music, angkaloong musical instruments. western music, and typewriting.
Each student is well training in these areas. Three is also a Thai traditional massage-training program, which presently is a very
popular profession among blind people. There are approximately 35-40 clients each day who come to the center for massages at
the Happy Touch Massage Pavilion, which is on the grounds of the Center.
Academic Education in reading and writing Braille, social science, elementary mathematics, ethics is offered from the elementary
to high school and vocational levels. These academic courses are done in cooperation with the Department of Non-Formal
Education who sends teachers to the Center to conduct the courses.
Ethics are also taught in additional to the vocational and academic training. Each student is taught ethics to ensure that she will
become a positive member of society and the country.
Particpation in social activities is encouraged. This could include participating in cultural exhibits by joining the angkaloong
music group.
For twenty-three year the Sampran Rehabilitation and Vocational Training Center has been training blind women to be able to live
independently and be contributing members to society.
|
