The School of the Blind in Rwanda That Changed Us Forever

Ashland Watson
Jul 16
3 min read

Some places quietly imprint themselves on your heart forever. For our small team from Cornerstone Church Wildomar, the Blessing School for the Visually Impaired in Musanze, Rwanda, was one of those places.

We went to Rwanda expecting to give our time, our hands, our hearts. But what we received in return at this extraordinary school for the blind was something sacred.

The Story Behind the School: Born from Both Pain and Purpose

The Blessing School for the Visually Impaired (BSVI) was founded in 2015 by Jean-Bosco Ntakirutimana and his wife, Providence Nzayisenga, through their nonprofit Hillside Hope.

The school is named after their daughter, Hannah Blessing, who survived against the odds. Blessing, as she is called, is the only surviving child of triplets born prematurely. Because her tiny eyes didn’t have time to develop fully, and with no access to advanced neonatal care, she lives with blindness, able only to sense light. The school was founded with Hannah Blessing in mind, a tangible expression of love and hope for children across Rwanda who are visually impaired. This is what started the school.

Miracle Worker

We arrived with bags full of supplies, braille games, tactile soccer balls, audio Bibles, and candy, but the real gift was what we stepped into: a place already full of life, joy, and the presence of God.

We were able to visit each classroom and then afterwards, the children came to the courtyard, guided by staff and one another. And then, they began to lead us in worship.

The children began to sing Way Maker (Miracle Worker), their voices filling the air with the words:

“You are here, moving in our midst. I worship You.”

As we listened, we were deeply moved. The presence of Jesus felt unmistakably near, alive in that moment, in that place. We didn’t expect to feel so undone, but something holy met us there. It was very powerful.

We also laid hands on each child. And we prayed. We didn’t speak the same language, but there are simply no words that can describe the moment... just God.

What This School of the Blind Is Really About

The Blessing School for the Visually Impaired is more than a school, it’s a place of safety, dignity, and opportunity. In a context where children with disabilities often face isolation or limited resources, BSVI stands as a courageous response: these children matter, and their lives are full of value.

Here, students are equipped with the tools they need to thrive. They learn braille reading and math. They are taught the Gospel and reminded of their worth in the eyes of God.

Leaving Changed

As we drove away from the school, a lot of us on the Team were deeply moved. It’s hard to describe what we encountered there. It wasn’t just a visit, it was a glimpse of something eternal. Jesus was present in that place. His love was evident in the smiles, the songs, the atmosphere of peace.

We came to serve, but we left transformed.

How You Can Help

If you feel stirred to support the ongoing work of this school of the blind, here are a few ways to get involved:

Give through Mosaic International (make sure to click Rwanda in the drop-down and type in Hillside Hope Blessing School for the Visually Impaired) to fund tools, materials, and daily needs
Pray... for Jean-Bosco, Providence, their team, and the students

What We’ll Carry Forward

The Blessing School for the Visually Impaired isn’t just about education, it’s about creating space for every child to be seen, equipped, and celebrated.

Our time there reminded us that faith isn’t rooted in what we see, it’s rooted in who we trust. We left with full hearts and a deeper awareness of how present God is, even in the quiet corners of the world.

We carry that with us now.