Row's U.S. Newspaper Cover

Last week, while in the US to undergo a procedure for hie eye, Rowan also took to the streets in Richmond Virginia, USA with friends and supporters Madeline Burke, John Barker Davis and Joseph Gallagher to raise awareness of the Walk Across Belize. Thanks to Joseph's efforts, we have had several new donations from US friends through our website and we would like to encourage you to support his cause as well!

You can make a donation by visiting our website. It's just a click away. All contributions will go directly toward supporting children who are blind.

Every dollar counts and as Row put it, "no donation is too big or too small!"

Here are some shots of the Walk in Richmond and the Cover of the Richmond Times featuring Rowan!

Read the article in the  Richmond Times - Dispatch.

Row's Procedure

Listening to a series of Redwall - Mattimeo, Rowan relaxes after a much-anticipated but long day ... 

Many of you may not have heard about Rowan's emergency surgery earlier in 2012. Due to extremely high pressure in his eye and immense pain, unlike anything he had ever felt, Ro had to have his eye removed and replaced with a temporary disk.

His mother, Milagro who accompanied him to Richomond Virgina, to visit the doctor, describes the procedure: 

The prosthesis usually takes a couple days or so to make. However, Dr De Lange made it in one day for Row. But it took a lot of poking and trying to mold it to perfection. Its custom made to fit and hardly any maintenance. Row deserved only the best and this ocularist has top recognition in this field.

As for Rowan, he could not be happier, "It feels so normal that I can hardly feel it in there!"

We can't wait to see Rowan and start our journey as we Walk Across Belize in less than a month! This adventure will help raise money to provide support for all children in Belize who are blind. Be a part of this wonderful event by making your contribution today! 

Row Graduates!

One month before he starts his Walk Across Belize, 14-year-old Rowan Garel spends his last few minutes as an elementary school student.

On Thursday June 14th, surrounded by his peers, family and friends, Rowan welcomed the audience and the faculty of Hummingbird Elementary School to the Standard 6 Graduation Ceremony, with a violin performance of Belize's National Anthem. After receiving his Diploma from the school Director, he joined his  mother, father, sister and members of BCVI for family photos.

When asked about this big moment, Rowan said, "To be honest, it's all bittersweet right now. I'm just glad that the ceremony is over because I was super nervous!" Having been in the audience, BCVI can tell you first hand that Rowan had absolutely no reason to be nervous - he performed beautifully!

We hope you enjoy a peek into the HES Graduation Ceremony and The Garel Family's special night! Don't forget that you can make a donation to help Ro and the other blind children in BCVIs program!

Driving the Walk!

Today we are driving the route from Benque to Belize City in hopes of raising much needed funds to support Rowan and the other children in our Rehab Programme. We hope his 90 miles in 5 days will inspire you to contribute!