Three young people founded the International Association for Blind Freedom Education, a non-profit organization located in Colorado, USA. They advocate universal values, freedom of belief, and freedom of education.
Founders Luo Renchun, Wang Jian, and Su Wei, two of whom are visually impaired. Luo Renchun, who was applying for political asylum in Thailand at the time, registered the “International Blind Education Association” in Colorado on July 6, 2023, which was later renamed as the “International Association for Blind Freedom Education”. They have established the “International Blind Education University” educational platform on the social media app WeChat, organizing daily teaching activities with various courses.
Renchun introduced that the association integrates guidance for visually impaired primary and secondary school education, vocational education, and daily life assistance to help visually impaired individuals worldwide achieve equal access to education and employment opportunities, aiming for dignified lives in society.
Initially faced with limited financial resources, challenges in network construction, and setting up offices, they persevered through seeking support from governments of various countries, corporate sponsorships, churches, and compassionate individuals in society to work towards longer-term plans and goals.
The International Association for Blind Freedom Education is divided into five departments: Education, Literature and Art Propaganda, Technology Network Information, Volunteer Services, and Diplomatic Service and Contact. Renchun hopes these departments can effectively serve every visually impaired individual, providing diverse educational resources and solutions to employment challenges globally.
Renchun also stated, “In the next decade, we will have better education, including training a strong team of teachers, and conducting international assessments of education for visually impaired individuals in various countries, as well as assisting blind students from impoverished families to attend school.”
In Renchun’s words, “The blind are part of society and should enjoy fairness and compassion. Through the association’s efforts, we hope to help blind students achieve educational freedom, work freedom, realize their dreams, and have the right to diverse choices in belief.”
Born in Bijie City, Zijin County, Guizhou Province, Renchun lost his eyesight at the age of three after being stabbed by his stepmother. Growing up in challenging circumstances, he later found refuge in a charity organization called the “Gratitude Workshop” operated by a Christian church, which then facilitated his education at a school for the blind and deaf in Guiyang.
Despite facing adversity, Renchun completed his technical and university education through perseverance. Post-graduation, he worked various jobs and attempted entrepreneurship, but his life took a difficult turn during the pandemic lockdown, especially given the lack of specific government assistance for the visually impaired in China.
Due to persecution of belief groups and oppression of disabled individuals by the Chinese Communist government, Renchun made the decision to leave China. In May 2023, he obtained a tourist visa for Thailand, carrying only a meager sum of over six thousand yuan to embark on the challenging path of seeking asylum.
Living abroad posed significant challenges for Renchun, who struggled to find employment in neighboring countries. In March of this year, he connected with a democratic activist named “Master Ye” in the United States and joined the China Citizen Action Party founded by Master Ye. Master Ye advocated for Renchun’s case by writing to the White House, the Speaker of the House, and the immigration authorities, shedding light on Renchun’s difficulties in Thailand and seeking assistance from the US government for a smooth transition to the US.
In May of this year, the Biden administration responded positively, with the White House staff reviewing the letters and forwarding them to relevant federal agencies for further action. The immigration authorities provided asylum guidance for Renchun.
At the end of April, Renchun made contact with a church in Indonesia through friends. He will study at a theology school in Indonesia for a year, and next year, he will be arranged to travel to the US for eye treatment and to stay to work in gospel and blind education.