From Despair to Hope: Visually Impaired Woman Rebuilds Her Life at Masaka Resource Centre for the Blind

KIGALI, Rwanda – At the age of 52, Viviane Ntakirutimana has transformed her life from despair and isolation to hope and self-reliance after receiving education and vocational training at the Masaka Resource Centre for the Blind.

Viviane’s journey into blindness began in 1994 when she started experiencing severe headaches. Her condition gradually worsened, leading to the loss of sight in one eye before she eventually became completely blind.

“I started suffering from severe headaches, and later one eye became blind. I sought treatment and was given glasses, but eventually the other eye also lost sight completely,” she recalled.

Losing her vision changed her life dramatically. She says she went through years of trauma, loneliness and hopelessness, believing she was no longer capable of achieving anything meaningful.

“After I became completely blind, I fell into despair and felt that there was nothing more I could do in life,” she said.

However, after many years of struggling to come to terms with her condition, a new opportunity emerged. Through the support of local authorities and a sponsor, Viviane learned about the Masaka Resource Centre for the Blind, a facility dedicated to empowering people with visual impairments through education and skills development.

“My district connected me with a sponsor, and that is how I came to study here at Masaka,” she said.

According to Viviane, arriving at the centre marked the beginning of a new chapter in her life. She learned how to read and write Braille and acquired practical vocational skills that could help her earn a living.

“Here, they taught me how to move around independently, read Braille, make liquid soap, and I am currently learning how to make bar soap,” she explained.

She says that before coming to Masaka, she had withdrawn from society and lived in deep isolation. Today, she has discovered that people living with visual impairments can lead productive and fulfilling lives.

Now filled with renewed confidence, Viviane encourages other persons with disabilities not to lose hope but to seek education and take advantage of opportunities that can transform their lives.

“I encourage people with disabilities not to sit in despair. They should look for knowledge and make use of the opportunities available to them,” she said.

Her story is a powerful testament to the transformative impact of inclusive education and skills training, demonstrating that with the right support, disability does not have to define a person’s future. Instead, it can become the beginning of a journey toward dignity, independence and hope.

About The Author

DUSABEMUNGU Ange de la Victoire

Award-winning journalist and communications professional, recognized with the APO Group’s inaugural Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Journalism Award for promoting African entrepreneurship. Content Manager at Top Africa News and contributor to various African media outlets. Experienced in content creation, digital media, communications, and digital marketing, with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and Journalism from the National University of Rwanda. Also specializes in website design, management, hosting, and content development.

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