KIGALI, RWANDA — For many families, the journey toward independence after losing sight begins with simple daily tasks: learning how to safely navigate a road, cook a meal, wash clothes, or read Braille. Yet, as the Rwanda Union of the Blind (RUB) recently emphasized, rehabilitation of the individual is only half the battle. True inclusion and dignity can only be achieved when families and communities actively challenge social stigma, recognize the rights of visually impaired individuals, and embrace their immense potential.
This call for societal change was the core message of a powerful gathering of families, caregivers, relatives, and blind and partially sighted graduates held on August 14, 2026, at the Masaka Resource Centre for the Blind (MRCB). Organized by RUB, the meeting served as a vital platform to share triumphs, confront systemic community challenges, and showcase how specialized training completely reshapes lives.
Redefining Partnership: The Inspiring Story of Venancilla and Jean Bosco
One of the most moving testimonies shared at the gathering came from Nyagatare District, where 53-year-old Venancilla Uwamahoro and her husband, 54-year-old Jean Bosco Siborurema, have experienced a profound transformation in their home.
Thirteen years ago, Venancilla’s life changed in an instant. After returning home from a wedding, she suddenly began experiencing severe eye problems. Despite seeking treatment at Kabgayi, her sight could not be saved. For years, she lived in a state of heavy dependence, relying entirely on her children and husband for basic needs like washing, peeling food, and cooking.
“I had no choice but to continue living with her as we had before,” Jean Bosco recalled, choosing patience and love over despair.
Everything changed when Venancilla was introduced to the Masaka Resource Centre for the Blind (MRCB). Over a six-month rehabilitation period, she learned orientation and mobility, along with practical domestic skills like food preparation and laundry. Later, she returned to MRCB for vocational training, mastering the art of making soap and liquid oils.
Today, Venancilla is not a dependent family member; she is an active economic partner. She produces soap, earning an income of about Rwf 3,000 per batch, which she uses to hire labor for their agricultural terraces. She has also purchased three goats and a pig for the family.
“At home, I no longer have to worry about buying salt, soap, or cooking oil because she can contribute to those needs, while I concentrate on farming,” says Jean Bosco. “A person who cannot see can also do things just like the person I live with. There is nothing she cannot do at home.”
Regaining Control: Patrick’s Journey Back to Mobility
For 25-year-old Patrick Iyamuremye of Kamonyi District, losing his sight on December 29, 2025, felt like the end of his future. Distressed and unable to accept his diagnosis even after visiting Bishenyi Eye Hospital, Patrick initially refused to attend rehabilitation, staying shut inside his home for two weeks and rejecting his white cane.
His mother, Ancille Mukabagorora, refused to give up on him. Having learned about MRCB through a friend, she gently insisted he visit.
Once Patrick stepped into the center and met others with visual impairments, his perspective shifted. He began learning Braille, domestic chores, and agricultural practices.
Today, Patrick moves freely, cooks, bathes, and does his own laundry. His morale has returned, and he is once again active. “Now I can walk on the road without any problem,” Patrick says proudly. “Before I came here, my mother used to wash my clothes for me. Now, I do almost everything on my own.”
His mother shares in this joy: “Since he came to this center, he talks with his relatives, he has morale, and many things have changed.”
Confronting Stigma in Schools and Homes
The gathering also shed light on the painful realities of community stigma. Jacques Mugisha, the Executive Director of RUB, recounted the heartbreaking story of a partially sighted schoolchild who was severely bullied in a mainstream school. Classmates would deliberately put dirt in his food to test if he could see it. Becoming deeply distressed, the child dropped out of school and developed behavioral struggles.
After undergoing rehabilitation at MRCB, the child experienced a complete turnaround, regaining his happiness and confidence, while his parents learned how to properly support him.
In another instance, a woman whose husband became blind was urged by neighbors and relatives to abandon him, questioning how a blind man could support his household. She refused, staying by his side and supporting his journey through MRCB. Today, that husband is an active, productive member of his community once more.
RUB’s Call to Action: A United Front for Inclusion
“These experiences show us that rehabilitation can make a significant difference,” said Mugisha Jacques, Executive Director of RUB. “People who initially appear to be dependent can regain confidence and become impactful in their families and communities.”
However, Mugisha stressed that individual training is not enough. To dismantle systemic barriers, the Rwanda Union of the Blind is calling for:
- Leveraging Community Platforms: Using existing grassroots forums—such as Umuganda (community work meetings), parents’ evenings, and public gatherings—to educate the public and share accurate information about the abilities and rights of visually impaired citizens.
- Stronger Institutional Alliances: Partnering more deeply with government institutions in education, health, and social development to ensure national policies and social interventions are directly informed by the lived experiences of people with visual disabilities.
- Inclusive Communities: Urging schools to cultivate safe, understanding environments for students with low vision and encouraging families to never hide or abandon their visually impaired relatives.
A Shared Responsibility
The powerful testimonies from Masaka serve as a reminder that visual impairment does not signify the end of a productive life. Loss of sight alters how tasks are performed, but with the right rehabilitation, a supportive family, and an inclusive community, blind individuals can—and do—lead lives of profound independence, economic capability, and dignity.
As an organization, the Rwanda Union of the Blind remains committed to lighting this path. We urge every Rwandan family, local leader, and educator to join us in seeing the ability, not the disability.