A Story of Strength and Sight Beyond Vision

She carried years of stigma, isolation, and the quiet pain of being misunderstood. Growing up in Kamanjab, a small town in Namibia’s Kunene Region, Patience was often teased for her low vision. "People made me feel different," she recalls. "They didn’t see what I could do, only what I couldn’t".

But everything changed when she walked through the doors of NFVI. "Being here did wonders for me, really," Patience says with a smile. "For the first time, I feel like I belong". She shared, "Back home, I was often teased and stigmatized because of my low vision in my right eye. People made me feel different. But here, I’m surrounded by others who understand—people who share the same struggles. It feels like I finally belong".

NFVI is more than a Centre; it’s a community of shared experiences, support, and resilience. It's a launchpad for dignity, independence, and leadership. Its work aligns closely with the outcomes articulated in the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2025–2029, which prioritizes leaving no one behind and ensuring all Namibians have equal opportunities. Patience’s testimony reflects the emotional power of inclusion—not only through skills development but also through belonging and dignity.

They listened to stories like Patience’s, saw the impact of assistive technologies, and experienced firsthand the transformation they enabled, reaffirming their commitment to inclusive development under the UNSDCF 2025–2029. As Director Moses Nghipandulwa put it, "We teach, we empower, we advocate. We are not just beneficiaries—we are builders of a more inclusive Namibia".

In a world that often overlooks those with disabilities, NFVI is a reminder that inclusion is not charity, it’s justice. And Patience? She’s not just learning to live with low vision. She’s learning to lead.