Randy Brown is blind but that doesn't stop him from getting busy as he uses the weaving method to complete the back of this chair. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Upon entering the premises of Creative Craft Plus (CCP), North Street, Kingston, there is no way you would be able to tell that the furniture on display was made by the visually impaired.

It would take a trek to the work area where weaving and caning take place to convince you of that!

Despite their limitations, workers at CCP attract customers from near and far, with beautifully made antique furniture.

regular shopper

If you didn't believe it yourself, asking the customers there would serve to convince you.

"I always come and buy the products and I have no regrets. The products look good so they add a different look to your home," said André Mullings, a regular shopper at CCP.

The men who make furniture journey from different parishes to learn the skill in order to better their living conditions.

self-help institution

Project coordinator at the institution, Paul Wilson, who is also visually impaired, boasted about how successful the nine-year-old, self-help training institution had been.

"The project has so far been doing well, as out of 38 persons who joined the institution, more than 20 are living off the skill," he said.

Wilson disclosed that Creative Craft Plus was established to lend help to persons who are visually impaired, as the group's unemployment rate was high.

"Over 99 per cent of blind persons are currently unemployed, so we thought we would set up a project that would train them to do the things that people think we do well," he said.

"We know that we do most things well, but people tend to accept things that we do with our hands more. So that is why we choose creative art."

The first training batch at the institution started with assistance from Lift Up Jamaica.

That group, made up of 10 persons, was equipped with the training skills to manage their own business.

quality time

The training batches are limited to 10 persons so time can be spent with each.

"Blind people require a lot of personal attention as they are using their fingers as against their eyes, so they need close supervision," said Wilson.

Most of the institution's customers are from upscale communities. According to Wilson, that is the group most interested in antique furniture.

"Elderly persons from the upscale families, like doctors and lawyers, are the type of persons who take interest in the antique products. And they keep coming back, as they are pleased. So we don't even need to do much advertising."

counting the successes

From three customers at the initial stage to more than 100, Wilson is counting the successes of the art institution.

But he said it is not all smooth sailing. The institution is facing financial challenges.

The institution is partly funded by Heart Trust NTA, which, together with Creative Craft Plus, provides the students with a stipend of $750 for travelling, but the coordinator said it was not enough.

"It is hard on them to get to school and to get a proper lunch, so that money can only finance them for about two days. We would like sponsorship to assist them better," he argued.

The institution head further said that boarding accommodation would also do well for the blind individuals.

Name changed on request.

nadisha.hunter@gleanerjm.com