Making a difference to children who cannot see
#ForEveryChild, inclusion
- English
- မြန်မာ
Von Shant Shan, 8, listens intently to the narration in an audio/visual storybook. It is a special moment for her, as the voice in the recording is hers. “The story is about Mi Phyu Lay and an ant, and I had to read Mi Phyu's lines from the story,” she said proudly.
The books are the first of their kind in Myanmar and visually impaired children like Von Shant Shan are taking part in their production, supported by UNICEF. “I can see the visuals if they’re big enough, but I cannot see the text,” she said.
While children with visual impairments can listen to the audio, those with audio impairments can follow the story through the pictures.
Von Shant Shan’s parents are also visually impaired.
Von Shant Shan’s mother, Naw Htee Hu War, and father, Paul Kalnai Khwar, say they are thrilled their daughter is having more opportunities than they did. They also received a portable audio device with the recorded stories from UNICEF.
Having the audio books in a thumb drive with a speaker is an asset, as Naw Htee Hu points out that she and her husband cannot read regular storybooks to their children.
“We get off work late, and our children go to bed early,” she said. She and her husband can open the audio files and answer any questions Von Shant Shan has about one of the books.
Naw Htee Hu War remembered lost opportunities for her own education. “While preparing for my matriculation examination, my father passed away,” she said. “I had to take care of my family, including my little sister, who was 4 years old and also partially blind. So, I left school.”
Her husband, Paul Kalnai Khwar, who lost his sight in an accident at a gold panning site, said his family is more fortunate than others, as they have a joint income. “It is enough to look after our children's needs,” he said.
Naw Htee Hu talks enthusiastically about her daughter’s involvement in the project. “My child loves the books, especially as she can hear her own voice as well as those of her friends in the stories. It made her feel included, and we are genuinely moved that she got such a chance,” said Naw Htee Hu. “We didn’t get a chance to grow up with fun and educative stories tailored for children, let alone ones that are tailored for children with disabilities. The stories are engaging and teach them valuable life lessons.”
Von Shant Shan studies at the Myanmar Christian Fellowship for the Blind, Khawel Chan Education Centre. “I’m in Grade 1. The subjects I study at school are Myanmar language, English, mathematics, morality and ethics, life skills, science and arts,” she said. When she has some free time, “I like to keep myself pretty by applying Thanakha[1]”
“In art class, I learn to draw and play instruments – the flute, bell and the clappers,” said Von Shant Shan. In science, she enjoys flying kites. It is obvious that Von Shant Shan wants to fly high in her life.
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[1] Thanakha is a yellowish-white cosmetic powder made from ground bark. It is said to be good for the skin and is a feature of Myanmar culture.
