BSVI has been empowering visually impaired students in Rwanda to THRIVE since 2015. In 2024, BSVI became a program of Thrive Global Project (TGP). TGP is proud to continue to support BSVI’s mission.
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.
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.
In 2024, BSVI became a program of TGP. Since 2015, BSVI has grown from a school serving seven students, to a now thriving community that serves 31 primary-grade students—all of whom live at the school because of the challenge of daily transportation from rural areas, allowing the school to teach the children how to manage themselves with more independence.
Since each student requires individual attention, the classes are kept small. This allows them to learn how to read and write Braille in a setting where help is always available. They learn English, math, social studies, music, fine arts, religious studies, mobility orientation, and how to play sports. The children are enjoying being able to contribute to their future!
Because of the school’s rapid growth, BSVI now needs to build a school with six classrooms, two dormitories, a dining hall, and an office.
The goal of this project is to create a world-class educational facility that caters to the unique needs of visually impaired students in Rwanda.
With your radical generosity, you can help BSVI realize their dream of building a new school for visually impaired students in Rwanda! Donate today.