This project is to raise the final funding needed to finish the translation of Hesperian's "Helping Children who are Blind" in Georgian and print 1,000 copies. Services for blind children are mostly non-existent in Georgia. There is no book in Georgian to help parents/teachers/counselors to deal with their blind children. The translating NGO is Mariani, a group of professionals working towards the rehabilitation, education and social inclusion of blind and partially sighted people.
Services for blind children are almost non-existent in Georgia. They get health insurance and can go to free kindergartens and public schools like all children. Some NGOs provide free services but these services are very limited because of bad regional distribution and lack of funding. Families do not get any counseling and in most cases, children come to school without any knowledge of toilet skills, eating, washing, etc.
Hesperian's "Helping Children who are Blind" will be the first book in Georgian for parents, teachers, social workers, daycare center staff, & counselors to help them nurture & develop the skills of blind children. The book will be available in branches of Georgian National Library, Georgian Blind Union and partner NGOs such as daycare centers, kindergartens and schools who provide services for blind children. $3,000 to complete translation;$6,000 to print 1,000 books.
1) A larger and more informed support network for blind children. 2) More acceptance of blind children by the Georgian society as a whole.
