3 AUG
2014
27
THE BELIZE TIMES
A Lifetime of Lessons Belize City, July 30, 2014 Annual General Meetings (AGM) are a formality, one that most organizations must follow through with to remain in good standing. At the Belize Council for the Visually Impaired (BCVI), however, it has become a family reunion for past and present leaders, clients who are blind and those who support the organization. BCVI’s 2014 AGM was held at the Lions Conference Center in Belize City on July 24th where founder, William, “Chi Chi” Fonseca, was guest speaker. As fate would have it, Mr Fonseca has also lost his sight, but that has never stopped him. He recalls the early days of the organization he helped create and marvels at its growth and coverage, 33 years later. I remember sitting in a little room that was BCVI, very close all of us. I sat there and I listened to Mrs Joan Musa and Joan Samuels and Nurse (Alice) Lewis talking to the patients, not only taking care of the problems they had with their eyes, but also caring for them, giving them advice and encouragement and from that time I knew BCVI was in good hands. When I hear the annual report, it blows my mind. I never dreamt that BCVI would grow to be such a big, active and successful organization. - William “Chi Chi” Fonseca BCVI’s earliest available Annual Report, written in 1991, states that the Primary Eye Care Program examined a total of 813 people. These people were seen at the Belize City Clinic on Gabourel Lane and during outreach clinics conducted with Dr David Hoy in Punta Gorda, Corozal and villages of the Belize District. This past Thursday, guests were presented with the 2013 Annual Report during which BCVI’s four full-time optometrists located in our five established clinics throughout the country examined more than 11,000 patients. The organization itself has grown from a staff of four to one of 30 and now includes a dedicated secondary eye care programme and operating
William Fonseca with BCVIs Joan Musa (far left), Joan Samuels (far right) and the young Belizeans they have inspired.
BCVI’s Founder William Fonseca and Executive Director Joan Musa
William Fonseca and son, PUP Leader Francis Fonseca at special BCVI AGM
theatre to treat eye diseases. In 1991 the Rehabilitation and Education Programme catered to 50 clients who were blind or visually impaired. Since then, BCVI created a register providing detailed records of the client base which now totals 1,254. It is through Mr Fonseca’s teaching and support as an education officer, that BCVI is now able to promote inclusive education and support 50 children, who are blind, in main stream schools. He played a crucial role in the education of BCVI’s former Vice President Hector Hoare (who passed away a few years ago) as well as for our current Vice President Donovan Reneau, who is now a radio DJ at Love FM. UB student Teresita Moh is also inspired by Mr Fonseca’s positive outlook. All three met Mr Fonseca after having lost their sight later in life, and it is his encouragement that helped them overcome their obstacle and move on to lead independent and fulfilling lives. At 90 years old, and living without his sight, Mr Fonseca continues to have a vision for BCVI and what the organization can accomplish through its comprehensive eye health programme: preventing blindness, restoring sight and nurturing
independent people who are irreversibly blind. The mission of BCVI is rooted in his vision, which he stressed to the clients, young and old, who attended the AGM. “Keep the faith there is a future for you, a good strong future. As you live your life, you’re making a future for all the blind people who will come after you. Say to the people of Belize, say to the world, ‘I am blind, but I will live a full active, rewarding and fulfilling life.’”
William Fonseca (in center) next to Executive Director Joan Musa in awards ceremony
William Fonseca and Hon. Phillip Goldson in the earlier days of their activism