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6
SPRING
2012
The 4th fourth graders had many ques-
tions to the supervisor of the Lebanese
School for the Blind and Deaf School
(LSBD) in Baabda as they gathered in
the main hall of the school.
“Do they have recess?” asked one boy.
“Do they play football?” said the other.
“Were they born this way?” wondered
another girl.
“Can’t they see anything?” asked a boy. “Do
their families love them?” asked one student.
Marie Rose Gemayal answered each
and every question. Yes, they do have
recess, just like IC kids do.They love to
play football, except that the ball makes
sounds and they play with their hands.
Unfortunately, most of her charges were
born blind but some can decipher some
light. And yes, their families love them
very much and see them every weekend.
The Q & A session over, Gemayal led
the fourth graders – all laden with snacks
from home as gifts to the children of the
LSBD – on a tour of the school.
As part of their PYP (Primary Years
Programme) theme, “How we organize
ourselves”, the fourth graders were on a
field trip to see for themselves the role
that NGOs play in society.
The first meeting was rather awkward
for both the sighted and non-sighted
children as fourth graders walked into
the classroom. Here non-sighted children
were learning to type on the keyboard by
following the sounds of letters. Adults
did their best to cajole both parties into
talking to each other,but it was only
after the adults left, that children began
interacting.
In another class, children were learn-
ing the Braille and eagerly typed out the
names of IC students on pieces of paper.
“You see,” said Gemayal. “They are
learning the same lessons that you are.
They have tests like you do. In fact, at the
Brevet level they attend normal school
and only come to sleep here.”
The main difference, she added, is music.
Music plays a huge role in the school. As
she spoke, the sound of a choir filled the
room. “Music,” she explained, “is impor-
tant for blind people.”
We’re not that different