Dear Editor,
A deceased Berbician has done us proud in Trinidad and deserves kudos for his humanitarian insight. While reading the Trinidad Newsday, I came across a news item which stated that a Guyanese was responsible for founding that society’s blind association.
“The Association was founded by James Augustus Alves who was born in Berbice, Guyana on November 10, 1883.
It was reported that young Alves suffered injury to his eyes following an accident in a schoolyard, and he subsequently lost sight in both eyes.
In Trinidad, Alves met with the acting Governor Sir Samuel Knaggs and presented his idea for an association which was incorporated in 1914.
“TT Blind Welfare Association will celebrate its 100th anniversary as the first and so far, only organisation that caters specifically for persons with visual disabilities. The association was established in 1914.”
Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram
