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The Vocational Training Centre for the Blind in Sierra Leone’s South Eastern Region has been rehabilitated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with support from the Government of India and is now serving more than 100 students with practical vocational skills.
The reopening of the centre is expected to improve access to training opportunities for persons with visual impairments in the region.
According to project stakeholders, the refurbished facility now offers structured courses in tailoring, weaving, computer science, and soap making, aimed at equipping students with marketable skills for self-employment and income generation.
The centre also provides basic entrepreneurship training to help graduates manage small businesses and turn their skills into sustainable livelihoods.
Officials said the rehabilitation forms part of broader efforts to promote inclusion and economic empowerment for persons with disabilities across Sierra Leone.
Since reopening, the centre has enrolled more than 100 students from surrounding districts and expanded its training programmes to include both traditional crafts and digital skills.
Community leaders and disability advocates have welcomed the development, describing the centre as an important resource for visually impaired persons seeking education and employment opportunities.
Some families have also reported growing confidence among trainees, while local businesses have shown increasing interest in products and services provided by graduates.
The rehabilitation was made possible through cooperation between UNDP and the Government of India, highlighting continued international support for skills development and inclusive growth in Sierra Leone.
Stakeholders say the initiative could help create more opportunities for persons with disabilities while contributing to community development in the region.
