In the Central African Republic, UNICEF training centers, funded by Education Cannot Wait, enable children with visual impairments to realize their full potential
BANGUI, Central African Republic, Dec 30 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Urielle sits in a classroom, absorbed in her reading. Using her fingertips, she traces the complex pattern of raised dots on the paper in front of her.
“I lost my sight at the age of three, but that didn’t stop me. From a young age, my parents taught me to be independent and self-sufficient, to work hard and to pursue my dreams,” explains Urielle.
Urielle stands in front of the Education Cannot Wait-supported Training Centre for Children with Vision Impairments. © UNICEF CAR/Jose Carlos Rodriguez
Despite the difficulties she encountered in her life, the 20-year-old young woman was always able to count on the unwavering support of her parents and teachers. Thanks to this, as well as her passion for learning and storytelling, and her fierce determination, Urielle is taking charge of her future.
Since joining a UNICEF-supported Training Center for Children with Vision Impairments in her hometown of Bangui, Urielle and other visually impaired children and young people are learning to read Braille and gaining access to education – often for the very first time.
The centre, which is one of three funded by Education Cannot Wait (ECW) in the capital Bangui, was created to provide tailored learning opportunities for visually impaired girls and boys in the Central African Republic. These centers help students acquire skills in Braille, reading and writing, and achieve a good level of proficiency in relation to the national curriculum so that they can eventually enter mainstream schools.
Every morning, a special school tuk-tuk stops outside Urielle’s home and takes her to the training center. Classes are taught by visually impaired teachers, assisted by sighted teachers, who use Braille teaching materials.
The center follows the standard curriculum of the Ministry of National Education. It was here that Urielle learned to read and write in Braille. These essential skills sparked a new passion. “I love sharing stories with people, especially about social issues. My favorite subject is social sciences, because I like to understand how people live, interact and face challenges around the world,” explains the teenager.
Although Urielle thrives at school today, her path to education has not always been easy in a society where people with disabilities remain stigmatized. Urielle remembers: “Some neighbors and even family members told me that I was useless, more suited to household chores than to school. But thanks to the unconditional support of my parents, I learned to ignore these voices. »
Ignoring the negative comments, Urielle understood that education could allow her to broaden her horizons and build the future she wants for herself. “The more I learn, the more stories develop in my mind. That’s why I’m determined to become a journalist,” she says.
The center also organizes vocational training courses to strengthen skills. These former students were able to use their new skills to find employment, and some even joined the civil service.
The Central African Republic is one of the most difficult places in the world for a child. Conflict, violence, population displacement and natural disasters continue to weigh heavily on the country. Years of instability have contributed to the collapse of already limited services, resulting in very little or no access to education in many areas. When schools are open, they often lack qualified and trained teachers, teaching materials and solid structures.
For people with disabilities, like Urielle, the situation is even more difficult. Stigma and prejudice against children with “special needs” is still all too common, often leading families to hide their children with disabilities, depriving them of access to their peers and the community at large, including school. Fortunately, Urielle’s parents were able to recognize their daughter’s unlimited potential.
As the United Nations’ global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises, ECW has supported partners like UNICEF in the Central African Republic since 2017, funding programs to improve access to quality education in protective learning environments, strengthen national and local education systems, support teachers, as well as provide targeted support to girls and children with disabilities.
Today, Urielle is not content with being an excellent student. “I also want to become a Paralympic athlete. I train three times a week for long-distance running,” she confides.
In the meantime, Urielle continues to learn and tell stories to inspire those around her. She declares with a big smile: “Telling stories is my passion. I know that the road is long and that I still have at least six years before I go to university. But one day I will 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.
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