A Home For Our Family – How Building Schools Can Impact A Child’s Life In Senegal

The Journey Toward Belonging and Opportunity

Every October, when the rains stop and the breeze settles, it means one thing: school is starting again. For students who are blind, the return to class is more than routine—it’s a chance to feel seen, understood, and part of something bigger. At Demain Ensemble School in Senegal, inclusive education in Senegal is not a concept—it’s a lived reality.

The school, founded by Mr. Deh, began in a small house, with overcrowded rooms and a single toilet. But for many students, it felt like family. Most of the students, like me, cannot see. Still, we found comfort in the shared sounds of morning greetings, in lessons voiced aloud, and in the consistent love of our principal.

From Vision to Reality

Mr. Deh, once sighted himself, became blind in adulthood. He founded this school for blind children in Africa so others wouldn’t have to face the same isolation he once did. Now, thanks to support from communities in France and the United States, his dream of a proper school is becoming real.

A few months ago, he shared with us the news: a new school is being built—designed especially for children like us. There will be six classrooms, accessible education for students with disabilities, and even six bathrooms. It felt like a dream too big to believe.

A New Chapter for Students With Visual Impairments

Weeks later, my friends and I followed the quiet alleyways, guided by memory, excitement, and our sighted friend Bouba. We reached a new, unfamiliar place—calmer, concrete beneath our feet, and no sand in our eyes. We had found it.

Inside, our hands traced smooth tile floors. Our voices echoed in the vast classrooms built just for us. Signs from construction crews still remained, but our imaginations filled the rooms. We felt freedom in those open spaces—freedom to learn, to grow, and to thrive.

How Inclusive Schools Support Blind Children in Senegal

This school is more than a building—it is a symbol of how inclusive schools support blind children in Senegal. With wide hallways, tactile surfaces, and tailored resources, children who once struggled in silence now have a place to learn freely. It’s also a promise to families who once worried for their children’s futures.

Education programs for students with visual impairments in Africa are rare, but they are life-changing. At Demain Ensemble, we know that disability does not define us. We are future artists, leaders, scientists—and perhaps even the next Mr. Deh.

The Future Is Being Built

As I imagine my parents stepping into this new school, I know they’ll feel the same hope I do. Because of this place, they’ll no longer worry if I’ll be okay. And I’ll no longer wonder if I belong. The school is not just a building—it’s my future.