Chandigarh, 12th January 2011: Amway Opportunity Foundation (AOF), a registered non-profit organisation and face of Amway India’s Social Responsibility initiatives, in association with the National Association for the Blind (NAB) shared Lohri warmth with the visually challenged at Asha Kiran, a vocational training institute for the differently-abled students,in Sector 46 here today. A bonfire was lit and traditional ceremonies performed on the occasion.
Louis Braille Day was also celebrated with the students of the AOF-NAB Centre for Excellence, a full-fledged computer center set up by AOF, enthusiastically participating in various cultural activities. AOF also donated two desktop DAISY Digital Talking Book Players to further enhance the facilities at the computer center.
Ms. Varsha Khangwal, Director Social Welfare, UT Chandigarh, was the chief guest.
In a message from Delhi, Chairman of AOF Mr William Pinckney said, “Through our National Project for the Visually Challenged, AOF has set up thirteen computer centres for the visually challenged at Kolkata, Patna, Narendarpur (West Bengal), Jaipur, Thiruvananthapuram, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Mumbai, Madurai, Gurgaon and Delhi and here in Chandigarh. Over 2000 visually challenged children would benefit from these computer centres, where they learn this vital skill from trained computer instructors.” He added that prior to their work on computer centres, AOF had brought out Braille textbooks for children in 12 states – which benefited over 85,000 children – between 1999-2005.
Mr Vinod Chadha of NAB, expressed optimism over increased corporate involvement in social issues. “By consistently being part of NAB activities, AOF and indeed, Amway has shown that corporates and the NGO sector can forge long-lasting partnerships. AOF had also helped us in setting up a computer centre in Chandigarh. We would encourage other corporate houses to follow this example,” he said.