#Education Cannot Wait #UNICEF #Central African Republic #Bangui

Urielle’s story begins in a classroom, where she is fully absorbed in reading a book. Her fingers delicately trace the intricate patterns of raised dots on the page before her. Despite losing her sight at the age of three, Urielle has always been motivated by her parents’ encouragement to be independent and self-sufficient. As she puts it, "I was taught to work hard and pursue my dreams."

At just twenty years old, Urielle has faced numerous challenges, yet continues to receive unwavering support from her parents and teachers. This encouragement, along with her passion for learning and storytelling, empowers her to take control of her future. After joining a training center for children with visual impairments in her hometown of Bangui, she, along with other visually impaired children, has learned to read braille and access education – often for the first time in their lives.

The training center supported by Education Cannot Wait (ECW) is one of three such initiatives in Bangui aimed at providing tailored educational opportunities for visually impaired students in the Central African Republic. At these centers, students develop their braille skills and literacy, align with national education standards, and are encouraged to eventually integrate into mainstream schools.

Every morning, a specially adapted motorized tuk-tuk transports Urielle from her home to the training center. Classes are led by teachers who themselves are visually impaired, assisted by sighted educators, utilizing braille teaching materials. The center follows the national curriculum established by the Ministry of National Education. Here, Urielle has learned not only to read but also to write in braille, igniting a newfound passion for storytelling within her. "I love sharing stories with others, especially those about social issues. Social studies is my favorite subject because I enjoy hearing how people around the world live and face challenges," she shares passionately.

Despite her success in school today, Urielle’s journey has not been easy, especially in a society that frequently stigmatizes individuals with disabilities. She recalls the hurtful words of some neighbors and even relatives who told her she was worthless and better suited for house chores than for school. However, thanks to her parents’ unwavering support, she learned to disregard these negative voices.

Urielle understands the importance of education in expanding her horizons and building the future she desires. "The more I learn, the more stories I have in my mind. That’s why I decided to become a journalist," she says with determination. The center also offers vocational training courses aimed at skill development. Many former students have utilized these new skills to secure jobs, with some even entering public service.

The Central African Republic is one of the toughest places in the world for children. Ongoing conflicts, violence, forced displacements, and natural disasters severely impact the country. Years of instability have led to the collapse of already limited services, resulting in limited or no access to education in many regions. Where schools are open, they often lack qualified teachers, teaching materials, and adequate facilities.

For individuals with disabilities, like Urielle, the situation is even harsher. Stigmas and prejudices against children with "special needs" remain commonplace, often resulting in families hiding their disabled children and denying them access to peers and the broader community, including schools. Fortunately, Urielle’s parents recognized her boundless potential.

As a global fund for education in emergencies and long-term crises under the United Nations, ECW has been supporting partners like UNICEF in the Central African Republic since 2017, funding programs aimed at improving access to quality education in safe environments, strengthening national and local education systems, supporting teachers, and providing targeted assistance to girls and children with disabilities.

Today, Urielle is not content with merely being an excellent student. "I also want to be a Paralympic athlete. I train for long-distance running three times a week!" she exclaims enthusiastically. Until then, she plans to continue her education and share stories to inspire those around her. With a broad smile, she says, "Storytelling is my passion. I know the journey ahead is long, and it will take at least six more years before I go to university. But one day, I will have my own radio show!"

Her ambitions are limitless, and her achievements stand as a testament to the potential of all children when provided with the education, resources, and support they need to thrive.