Light for the World Belgium launched an Inclusive Education program in fall 2017, in collaboration with SeeYou Foundation and the Diocese of Kabgayi. The goal is for children with visual impairments to follow classes with peers.

The staff of the Inclusive Education team of the Diocese of Kabgayi meets children with visual problems on a daily basis. From the experiences in the testing phase, we know that some parents are not able to guide their visually impaired children, mostly due to poverty. In Rwandan society, wearing glasses and eye care is an illusion for the poorer population. They consider this a ‘luxury’ for the rich. As a result, many visually impaired children are not reached.

Light for the World Belgium and SeeYou Foundation ensure that these children receive the necessary medical, technical and pedagogical guidance through the Inclusive Education program.

Results project ‘Inclusive Education’  

  • In the first semester of 2021, 98 children were accompanied to Kabgayi Eye Unit (the eye hospital in Rwanda), including 16 new children. These children received the necessary optical aids: 30 children received glasses, 8 children received magnifying glasses and 12 children received telescopes.
  • In the first 6 months of 2021 intensive home visits and individual counseling for 138 children were retaken. The children had to spend as much as 6 to 8 months (depending on the region) at home in 2020, a year ravaged by covid-19 and the consecuentive preventive measures.
  • In April, a physical meeting took place between the Inclusive Education team and the education directors of Muhanga, Ruhanga, Nyanza and the Kamonyi districts.
  • In June an online training for itinerant teachers was organized under guidance of experts Kris Passchyn and Ann Lovenniers.