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Home>Service> Awardees of Fervent Global Love of Lives Award> 20th Fervent Global Love of Lives Award 2017> The Blind Hero—Rowan Garel

The Blind Hero—Rowan Garel (Belize)
[Adventure for public welfare. Brave and bright]
Even if your eyes cannot see, do not mean you cannot do something.
                                                —Rowan Garel
The Adventure for Public Welfare
    Rowan Garel was born on June 5, 1998 in Belize. He came to this world completely blind. Since a child, he has been receiving sponsorship from the Belize Council for the Visually Impaired (BCVI). This is why he would like to express his gratitude by helping the beneficiaries to become supporters.
    Rowan has always been an optimistic boy. Every semester he volunteers to serve as the class leader, the organizer for singing and storytelling activities and events in environmental protection. He is also a good student with outstanding academic grades.
    Rowan always says, “Even if your eyes cannot see, it does not mean you cannot do something”.
    Rowan made a timely decision to adventure for social welfare.
    In March 2011, the 12-year-old Rowan, with the company of his father, climbed to the top of Victoria Peak, the highest mountain in Belize. After one step at a time for three days and three nights, he became the youngest and the only blind person that have achieved this in Latin America. By doing so, Rowan raised $90,000 for BCVI for the purchase of 28 state-of-the-art computers for the blind people.
    In June 2012, the 13-year-old Rowan, under the company of his whole family and a hundred volunteer workers, trailed 150 kilometers and all over Belize within six days. This helped BCVI to raise $110,000 required to restart the summer camp for blind children.
    In July 2013, the 14-years-old Rowan, under the support of international experts, successfully snorkeled in the Great Blue Hole of 480 feet in depth and over 1,000 feet in diameter. The Great Blue Hole, formed during the Ice Age, is hailed as one of the world’s top ten geological miracles. Rowan set the Guinness World Records by becoming the first totally blind person who dived in the Great Blue Hole. This accomplish amazed the whole world and raised $130,000 for BCVI to offer scholarships to the disadvantaged blind children. 
    Rowan’s adventures for the society have attracted many helping hands. Upon a scholarship from Drew University in 2016, he embarked on his college life by going to New Jersey in the U.S. on his own. Rowan also took part in the thrill-seeking activities to raise funds for research in echolocation for the blind people around the world.