Urielle Envisions a Bright Future

ECW-funded UNICEF Training Centres for Children with Vision Impairments empower children to reach their full potential in the Central African Republic

By Education Cannot Wait

July 1^st, 2024

Adapted Story from the Field. Special Contribution by UNICEF CAR (Original).

Urielle sits in a classroom, one of her favorite places in the world, absorbed in her reading. Her fingertips trace the intricate pattern of raised dots on the paper in front of her.

“I lost my eyesight at the age of three but that did not stop me. From a tender age, my parents taught me to be independent and self-reliant. They taught me to work hard and follow my dreams.”

Despite the challenges she has faced in her life, the 20-year-old has always received unwavering support from her parents and teachers. With this encouragement to bolster her, a passion for learning and storytelling, and a fierce determination, Urielle is taking charge of her own future.

Since joining a UNICEF-supported Training Centre for Children with Vision Impairments in her hometown of Bangui, Urielle and other children and youth with vision impairments are learning to read braille and accessing education – in many cases, for the very first time.

This Centre is one of three funded by Education Cannot Wait (ECW) in the capital city of Bangui – established to provide adapted learning opportunities for girls and boys with vision impairments in the Central African Republic. Another centre has been established in Bambari, 180 kilometres from Bangui, funded by Norway. These centres help students to build Braille and literacy skills, good competency levels according to the national educational curriculum, and support them to eventually join mainstream schools.

Urielle smiles in front of one or the three Training Centres for Children with Vision Impairments in Bangui, CAR. © UNICEF CAR/Jose Carlos Rodriguez

Urielle’s Determination to Learn

Every morning, a special school tuk-tuk stops in front of Urielle’s home and takes her to the Training Centre for children with vision impairments.

There, from seven-thirty until midday, she is immersed in her lessons.

Courses are taught by teachers with vision impairment, assisted by sighted teachers, using Braille teaching aids.

The Centre follows the standard curriculum of the Ministry of National Education. It is also where Urielle learned to read and write in Braille. These critical skills have unlocked a world of knowledge and stories for her, tools that will enable her to achieve her dream of becoming a radio journalist.

“I love sharing stories with people, especially about social issues. My favorite subject is social science – because I like to hear about how people across the world live, interact and face challenges.”

While Urielle is thriving in school today, the road to her education hasn’t been easy in a society where stigma still exists around people with disabilities. Urielle recalls, "Some neighbors and even relatives used to tell me I was useless, better suited for chores than school. But thanks to my parents' unwavering support, I learned to ignore those voices."

Shutting out the nay-sayers around her, Urielle understands the power of education in broadening her horizons and building the future that she wants for herself.

“The more I learn, the more stories unfold in my mind. I envision myself exploring new cities, encountering other young people and sharing in their adventures. That’s why I am determined to become a journalist.”

The Centre also runs vocational training courses to build skills including in basket-making, saponification and caning. Past students have used these new skills to gain employment, and five have even gone on to join the civil service.

At a Norway and ECW-supported Training Centre for Children with Vision Impairments in Bambari, a girl with a vision impairment learns how to write and read in Braille. Photo Credit: © UNICEF CAR/Christian Nzengue

Roadblocks to Learning in CAR

The Central African Republic (CAR) is one of the toughest places in the world to be a child.

Conflict-related violence, displacement and natural disasters continue to weigh heavily on the country. It is estimated that 2.8 million people will require humanitarian assistance in 2024 – nearly half of them children. Years of instability have contributed to the breakdown of already limited services, resulting in very limited or nonexistent access to education in large parts of CAR. Where schools are open, they often lack qualified and trained teachers, learning materials and sound building structures.

According to UNICEF's 2024 Humanitarian Action for Children report, an estimated 1.2 million children in the country are in need of urgent education support.

For those with disabilities, like Urielle, the situation is even more challenging. Stigma and prejudice remain all-too-common towards children with ‘special needs’ in CAR, often resulting in families hiding their children with disabilities away – denying them access to their peers and the broader community, including schools.

Luckily, Urielle’s parents were able to recognize the endless potential in their daughter. Flourishing under the encouragement and supports she receives, Urielle has now become a cheerleader for other girls and boys with disabilities.

“I always advise my classmates to study and work hard. I insist that no matter what some people might tell us, having a vision impairment doesn’t mean we are unproductive.”

A teacher leads a young boy through a lesson at an ECW and Norway-supported Training Centre for Children with Vision Impairments in Bambari, CAR. Photo Credit: © UNICEF CAR/Christian Nzengue

ECW in CAR

As the global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises within the United Nations, ECW has supported partners like UNICEF in CAR since 2017.

ECW recently extended its Multi-Year Resilience Programme in the country with a US$40 million grant. The programme increases access for children and youth to a holistic, quality education in protective learning environments, strengthens national and local education systems, and provides targeted support for girls and children with disabilities, like Urielle.

In 2023, ECW also launched a First Emergency Response (FER) in CAR to help address the educational needs arising due to the escalating conflict in neighboring Sudan. The FER targets refugees as well as the communities that host them, and works to ensure access to quality education services, provides language training and catch-up classes, strengthens protection and mental health and psychosocial support, reinforces educational infrastructure, supports teachers and more.

To date, ECW investments have reached nearly 460,000 crisis-affected children and youth in CAR with quality education support.

Urielle stands in front of the ECW-supported Training Centre for Children with Vision Impairments. © UNICEF CAR/Jose Carlos Rodriguez

Urielle Dreams of Gold

Urielle isn’t satisfied with just being a stellar student – she’s also a dedicated athlete and dreams of one day competing on the world’s biggest sporting stage. “I also want to be a Paralympic athlete. I train three times a week in long-distance running!" she says.

Until that day, Urielle plans to continue learning and telling stories to inspire those around her. She says with a wide smile, "Storytelling is my passion. I love sharing stories with people. I know the road is long and that I have at least six more years before university. Still, one day, I'll have my own radio show!"

Her aspirations know no bounds – and her achievements are a testament to the potential of all children when they receive the education, resources and support they need to thrive.

Urielle’s zest for life is infectious. One thing is clear to anyone who meets the young woman: any roadblocks before her stand little chance in the face of her self-discipline and confidence.

"I'll keep studying hard. Don't be surprised [with what I achieve].”

Students and their teachers stand in front of an ECW-funded Training Centre for Children with Vision Impairments in Damala, Bangui, CAR. © UNICEF CAR/Jose Carlos Rodriguez

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