Blind Trevor needs help to finish his matric

TREVOR Mackin, who is blind and may be seen walking around town with his faithful guide dog, Vici, is looking for help to complete his matric.

Mackin was born in Cape Town and went to school in Worcester at the Pioneer School for the Blind. He and his family enjoyed holidays in Port Alfred and four years ago they moved here permanently.

He is working on the switchboard at Pick n Pay, while doing his matric by correspondence through Intec College.

If he completes his matric he hopes he can look for a busier switchboard or work for more than just one day a week.

But he is in need of a teacher. He writes history in June next year and would like to start studying towards the exam as soon as possible. He has a sighted history textbook and needs guidance on structuring history essays.

He can write his exam in Braille as he has done before or he can use a scribe to help him write down the answers.

He has a sponsor, Blind SA, which aims to help people like him to develop his potential and become independent.

“Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will eat for a life time.” – Chinese proverb

Anyone who would like to help can call me on (046) 624-3442 or 082-517-3703. SHOPPING at Rosehill Mall on Wednesday September 28, turned into a nightmare when my bakkie was broken into in front of the Spur entrance.

Security was nowhere to be seen and security cameras were out of order (and had been down for some time as another incident had occurred the previous week).

The police arrived promptly and were most professional and efficient. Sergeant Smit went beyond her duty to help me. This turned into an attempted theft of my bakkie.

I then had to call Kowie Locksmith as my door locks and vehicle ignition had been damaged. They were very efficient and sympathetic to my plight and soon had me back on the road. Another good was the licensing office: in and out in 15 minutes.

Besides all the groceries and personal items that were stolen and all the damage to my vehicle, I feel this could have been avoided if the Rosehill Mall management – knowing fully well that their security cameras were not functioning – had supplied extra security in the parking area. It is that time of year when crime is high so we need to protect residents and visitors, especially as the festive season approaches.