Masaka Resource Centre for the Blind Empowers Visually Impaired Persons in Rwanda

Ms. Jeannette Byakozimana, who is visually impaired, believes that knitting will contribute to her development.

She hails from Nyamagabe District, Buruhukiro sector, Kizimyamuriro cell, Gikongo village, and is a member of the Kibumbwe group under the Rwanda Union of the Blind.

Byakozimana has been training in knitting for five months at the Masaka Resource Center for the Blind.

Masaka Resource Centre for the Blind (MRCB) is a rehabilitation center founded by the Rwanda Union of the Blind (RUB) in the year 2000. This came about after realizing that most blind people in Rwandan communities were not living life to the fullest due to disability. Most of them were living in isolation, always at home without participation in family and community activities. As such Masaka Resource Centre for the Blind was born to address this challenge.

Similar to Ms. Byakozimana, prior to this opportunity, she felt lonely and unaware of the capabilities of blind persons.

She expressed, “I only knew how to cook at home; I was unaware of any other skills.” Through the center, she first learned Braille and then progressed to knitting.

Ms. Jeannette Byakozimana, who is visually impaired, believes that knitting will contribute to her development.

She aspires to acquire a knitting machine in the future and stated, “The first thing I learned was how to knit a piece of clothing; now I am confident in my abilities to apply what I have learned.” Byakozimana credits the Rwanda Union of the Blind for her progress, emphasizing their support in facilitating her education and providing for her needs.

She is optimistic about her prospects in the job market and encourages fellow visually impaired persons to recognize their self-worth.

Ms. Byakozimana believes that the knowledge and skills she has gained will enable her to contribute to her family and society at large. She also highlighted the newfound abilities she has acquired, such as using a white cane and engaging in various tasks independently.

Despite acknowledging the societal challenges faced by visually impaired individuals, Byakozimana remains determined to overcome obstacles and be treated equally.

She envisions a future where individuals with visual impairments are valued and respected by society.

MRCB being the only rehabilitation center available in Rwanda to provide rehabilitation service to blind and partially sighted people, it was found that rehabilitation work is crucial in helping people who have lost their sight to come to terms with the new situation and continue with life. It also helps people who grow up with visual impairment to develop the independent skills that they were not able to learn as children and to join the mainstream society and participate.