Join Jessica & Eli in Supporting Visually Impaired Students in Rwanda
We are traveling to Rwanda to support Blessing School for the Visually Impaired (BSVI)—a school dedicated to empowering children with visual impairments through education. Since 2015, BSVI has grown from serving just seven students to a thriving community of dozens of children learning Braille, mobility and technology skills, and academics, preparing them for a future full of opportunity.
Why This Work Matters
Children with visual impairments in Rwanda face immense challenges. Many are left out of the education system, and without access to specialized schools like BSVI, their futures are uncertain. But at BSVI, these students receive the tools and support they need to thrive—and with your help, we can expand that impact even further.
How YOU Can Make a Difference
During our time in Rwanda, we will be working alongside BSVI’s leadership, meeting students, and helping lay the groundwork for the school’s next phase—building a larger facility to serve even more children. Your support will help bring resources, awareness, and long-term sustainability to this incredible program.
Every donation helps to ensure that visually impaired students in Rwanda have access to quality education and a brighter future.
Join me in supporting BSVI—together, we can give students the fuel to THRIVE!
We are fundraising to help cover the costs of our travel and donating to BSVI so that I can be fully present in the work that I am doing on the ground. By supporting our trip, you’re investing in the future of visually impaired students in Rwanda by enabling us to bring back vital insights, connections, and advocacy for BSVI’s expansion.
Thrive Global Project is Raising money to empower visually impaired students in Tanzania
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
Blessing School for the Visually Impaired (BSVI) was inspired by Blessing, the daughter of Jean-Bosco and 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. |
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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.
 | OUR SOLUTION
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!
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THE FUTURE - WHAT'S NEXT FOR BSVI?
Because of the incredible need and 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.
TOGETHER, WE CAN GIVE STUDENTS THE FUEL TO THRIVE!
Will you step forward and support BSVI's dream of building a new school in Musanze, Rwanda to help support even more children?
DISABILITY IS NOT INABILITY, INDEED.
