Aspen Medical team doubles support for visually impaired students in Fiji's Western District

The global team at Aspen Medical has rallied behind a fundraising initiative to provide two new braille machines to visually impaired students at Lautoka School for Special Education. This latest donation brings the total number of braille machines donated by the Aspen Medical Foundation to the school to three. Aspen Medical manages the public hospitals at Lautoka and Ba under a Public Private Partnership agreement with the Government of Fiji.

Aspen Medical Disability Inclusion Lead Ben Clare, who has been blind since birth, surprised the school on Tuesday by presenting two new machines on behalf of the Aspen Medical Foundation.

Several years ago, Aspen Medical donated a Brailler to Lautoka School for Special Education to support its visually impaired students. Until this week, that machine was the school’s only Brailler, shared amongst five students.

Recognising the need for greater access, the Aspen Medical Foundation initially set out to raise funds for one additional machine. The initiative quickly gained momentum as Aspen Medical employees around the world got behind the campaign.

Through their fundraising, together with Aspen Medical matching their donations, enough funds were raised to purchase two new Braillers instead of one.

The latest donation means Lautoka School for Special Education will now have three Braillers available for its five visually impaired students, significantly increasing their access to braille and supporting the development of literacy, learning and independence.

Mr Clare thanked his Aspen Medical colleagues for their generosity and support.

“As someone who has been blind since birth, I know firsthand the difference that access to braille can make. It opens the door to literacy, education and independence, so knowing these students will now have three Braillers available to them is incredibly meaningful. I’m enormously grateful to everyone who donated and helped make this possible, and very proud to present the Braillers to the students and team of Lautoka Special School on behalf of the Aspen Medical team worldwide,” he said.

Mr Kailash Pillay, Head of School at Lautoka School for Special Education said the machines will make a meaningful difference in strengthening the students’ access to learning and empowering them to pursue their aspirations. 

“Receiving these new braille machines was an incredible surprise. We are delighted and grateful to the Aspen Medical team and the Aspen Medical Foundation for their kindness. These new machines will allow of visually impaired students to reach for their dreams and fulfill their potential,” he said.

This latest donation reflects the Aspen Medical Foundation’s commitment to creating practical and lasting opportunities for people and communities across the Pacific.

ENDS