I SEE

In this photograph, Tala Al Aamar, a blind brilliant young girl surrounded by a pile of braille books, happily immersed in reading, gliding her fingertips across the page, feeling the letters, and radiating joy and curiosity as she explores the story.

The book she is reading is one of thousands made available to the visually disabled Arab children around the world by the Kalimat Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, under the patronage of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, to uphold the children’s rights to read and access books.

Various accessible formats were offered under the umbrella of “ARA” initiative (Ara being Arabic for “I See”), ensuring that reading is accessible to all and empowering children with knowledge, opening up endless worlds of imagination and discovery.

Tala is a true example of determination, and her love of reading and unrelenting thirst for knowledge are inspiring. She transcended all barriers and received multiple Distinction and Excellence awards for her exceptional performance in reading competitions.

I See

Captured by Bernard Jouaret using the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, this photo shows Tala Al Aamar reading a braille book at a Kalimat Foundation World Braille Day workshop. The foundation, under Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, empowers visually disabled Arab children through its “ARA” initiative.