A SELF TAUGHT jeweler who rose to become one of the world’s top ten creators of fine jewelry is bringing new hope to  Panama’s blind, helping them become an income earning  part of the community, acknowledged abroad but not in Panama.

As an unemployed worker during a recession period in The United States, Vernon Wilson went to his local library to research opportunities for making a living other than wielding a broom.

He learned that during the great depression of the 1930’s jewelry making survived, relatively unscathed and he set out to teach himself the craft.

He faced an additional challenge  because, as a child he suffered from Attention Deficiency Disorder (ADD)  and had left school with a grade  five reading level. So his first step was to develop reading skills, before launching into the study of the art of creating jewelry.

His early struggles and determination paid off, and Wilson went on to build a successful and renowned business.

When he decided to take early retirement he and his wife headed to Belize as voluntary mission workers. During 12 years residence, he spent six years teaching  his  skills to prisoners who, instead of stealing jewelry, could make and sell it. His success was measured in the recidivism rate, with 73% of his former students staying out of jail.

In Panama he became an active member  of the St Luke’s  Episcopal Church congregation, and worked on outreach programs for the local community.

The plight of the blind community from lower income groups  was brought to him during a conversation with a blind parishioner who told him that the biggest  problem was finding work.

Being blind, even in first world countries, is a major challenge, but in Panama, particularly among the poorer section of the population, it can be a near insurmountable obstacle leading to a lifetime of isolation and deprivation, relying on those who already have little to share.

The conversation  led to the creation of   Vision of Hope and the enrolling, of  a small team of volunteers, teaching blind workers to not only to assemble jewelry but helping them market it and create sales outlets. But first he had to go back to school, practicing some of his skills while blindfolded.

He developed a training plan enabling blind students to identify by touch, the sometimes minuscule polished stones, pewter, silver and gold pieces that go to make up bracelets, earrings, necklaces and pendants. They are pre-sorted into small plastic containers and the blind workers assemble them into the finished product. More advanced students learn to use machinery for drilling holes, and cutting patterns, using special jigs developed by Wilson.

After an initial training period the student gets to take home his or her first completed work of art as a gift for the family. Its delivery often brings emotional reactions says Wilson, recalling one mother bursting into tears after realizing that her handicapped son had personally assembled the gift.

When news of the endeavor reached Britain prestigious and internationally recognized, Royal National Institute for the  Blind (RNIB) in Northern Ireland they were quick to recognize its potential and joined with  Ulster Sheltered Employment Limited (USEL)  Ulster University, and a  leading wholesale jeweler to develop a local program. Wilson flew to Ireland, and the  endeavor t will kick start with 100 blind students.

Gaining recognition from Panama’s top ranking authorities is a different challenge. They  have literally turned a blind eye to the project, even though some of the early students have amazed officials by obtaining master craftsperson  certification

Carols by Candlelight, the annual charity concert organized by The CanadaPLUS Foundation, will add Vision of Hope to Santo Tomas Hospital as  recipients of funds raised this year  and there will be a sales booth at the event. For seat reservations, call 6619-6890 or email carolspanama@gmail.com