In Bugesera District, Eastern Rwanda, seven-year-old twins Andre and Aime begin each day in a cramped mud house shared with ten family members. Eight of them, including the twins, their siblings, and their father, live with visual impairments. For years, the odds were stacked against them.
When Andre and Aime tried mainstream schools, the journey itself was a daily struggle. Long distances over inaccessible roads meant they often arrived late. Inside classrooms, teachers lacked training to support children with visual impairments. Their father, Jean Paul Ntwali, already navigating deep poverty, could not afford school fees or specialized materials. “I couldn’t afford the school materials their teachers required. Long distances and inaccessible roads meant they arrived late every day, always struggling to keep up with peers without disabilities in class,” he recalls.
Grades slipped. Confidence faded. School became a reminder of exclusion rather than opportunity.
Then came a turning point. Through its Impact Staking Initiative, eKitabu advocated for the twins and enrolled them in 2025 at HVP Gatagara, a special school for children with visual impairments. For the first time, Andre and Aime found themselves in an environment built for them—not one they had to fight to fit into. Their father shares: “eKitabu covers all school fees and provides essential materials like suitcases, soap, body lotion, accessible papers, and learning tools for my boys.”
With holistic support, the twins began to thrive. In class, they use specialized tools that fuel their passion for learning. “Devices I use include a board, slate, stylus, cubarithm board, and Braille cubes,” says Andre. “I also use a tablet to learn writing,” adds Aime.
Today, Andre and Aime excel academically, with boosted confidence, self-esteem, and social skills. Andre dreams of becoming a soldier. Aime hopes to be a doctor. “I like going to school because it helps me gain knowledge and teaches me to respect my parents,” says Aime. Their mother, Anne Marie Uwimana, notes improvements in discipline, hygiene, and performance: “My children show better discipline and knowledge, performing well in class because their teachers care for them deeply.”
The family’s burden has eased too—fewer worries about school fees and supplies since the twins attend a boarding school tailored to their needs. Currently, eKitabu supports 17 children with visual impairments across three special schools in Rwanda, helping them access quality education and chase their dreams.
Yet challenges remain. The twins’ parents still struggle with transport costs to HVP Gatagara, more than 92 kilometers from home. Linking the family to Bugesera District’s social protection services could provide sustainable help for transport fees and basic needs. Their father shares his hope: “I need work to care for my family. Even with my visual disability, my mind and heart are sharp. With startup capital, I could start a business, earn income, and better support my children.”
Andre and Aime’s story is a powerful reminder of the immense potential within every child with a disability in Rwanda. With compassion and commitment from partners, eKitabu can extend this lifeline to countless other vulnerable children, ensuring they don’t just survive, but truly thrive.