Our Mission
is to provide comprehensive care and instruction to visually impaired (blind or partially sighted) children and adults in 3 main areas:
- Academic learning
- Self-reliant living skills and
- Participation in extracurricular activities such as sports, dance, drama, vocal and instrumental music, arts and crafts. VEF students also have the opportunity to participate in community events.
Currently with 45 visually impaired students and a staff of 10 dedicated workers, VEF is located on one level of The Shindes’ home. As some students are unable to travel to VEF regularly due to mobility challenges, our teachers schedule home visits when required so there is no interruption in their learning.
VEF plans to begin construction of a boarding school with several programs where students can live under the careful supervision of trained staff. Here, they will be taught independent living skills such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, shopping and caring for themselves, all customized to each student’s needs and unique conditions. Living at the school will expose the children to a new world of confidence and self-accomplishment to prepare them for a fulfilling and functional life beyond the boundaries of the School.