BSVI – School for Visually Impaired Students
Blessing School for the Visually Impaired (BSVI) was founded in 2015. It was inspired by Blessing, the daughter of Jean-Bosco and his wife, Providence. Blessing is the surviving child of triplets that were born prematurely. She persevered through enormous physical challenges to not only survive, but thrive. Due to her premature birth, Blessing’s eyes were not able to complete their development, and without access to the high-quality medical care available in highly developed countries, Blessing is severely visually impaired.
The Problem
Children with visual impairment and other disabilities in developing countries, such as Rwanda, face enormous challenges. At best, they are sent to a government school with sighted children in classes of up to 100 students. At worst, they are neglected and sent out to beg, seen as a burden instead of as uniquely talented individuals who can have meaningful, productive lives.
Government schools do not have the necessary equipment for the students to learn, and teachers do not have knowledge in braille or mobility orientation. These children may never receive an education or be able to obtain a job.
The World Health Organization estimates that one out of every 100 people in Rwanda is severely visually impaired, which is about 115,000 people. Forty-two percent of the population is 14 and under, meaning there are nearly 50,000 visually impaired children. Before BSVI, there were only two other schools serving the blind in Rwanda, neither of which is located near the Musanze district of Northwestern Rwanda.