Creating a Safer, Healthier Space for Visually Impaired Students

Alongside our vital work caring for ageing veterans, we believe in supporting the wider communities around them. Providing safe spaces for vulnerable young people to learn and thrive is just one of the many ways we are giving back to the country that has given us so much.

Recently, our team successfully completed a refurbishment project at the Blind Hostel within Shree Amarsingh Secondary School.

A Long-Standing Partnership in Inclusive Education

The Blind Hostel was established in 1981 with just 12 students, one transcriber, and a single hostel worker. It has grown significantly over the decades and today accommodates 72 visually impaired students, supported by a dedicated team of 14 teachers.

Our relationship with the school spans more than thirty years. The Gurkha Welfare Scheme (now GWT) previously funded the construction of the hostel building, classrooms, kitchen, dining hall, and a multipurpose hall, across two construction phases in 1992 and 2011. Since its founding, more than 200 visually impaired students have successfully passed their SLC/SEE examinations here, proving just how vital this facility is.

Overcoming the Seasonal Challenges

Because these young residents live and study on the campus, the school’s facilities are constantly in use. However, a lack of suitable doors and windows had begun to cause serious issues for the children.

During the hot summer and monsoon months, swarms of mosquitoes would infiltrate the living and study quarters. For visually impaired students, dealing with these pests presented a significant health risk and disrupted their ability to focus, rest, and move around safely.

To tackle this problem head-on, our team carried out a refurbishment project, installing 31 new aluminium windows and 18 aluminium net door shutters.

These simple additions have dramatically reduced the mosquito problem, instantly creating a much healthier, insect-free, and comfortable environment where students can thrive.

A Standard of Excellence for Lasting Impact

Both the school administration and the students have expressed their deep gratitude to the Trust for this life-changing intervention.

“Projects of this nature are incredibly valuable. By improving the daily quality of life for vulnerable groups, we aren’t just renovating buildings—we are promoting social inclusion and strengthening community welfare.”

We are incredibly proud of the positive impact this refurbishment has already had on the hostel environment.