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He was born on April 13, 1977, oldest son in a family with 2 children. During her pregnancy his mother contracted measles, but although her doctor advised her to get an abortion, she did not want to do so. Diagnosis is glaucoma and he is blind in one eye.
Fraichel has had various operations in the U.S.A. as well as in Holland, however, without success.
When he was seven he went to Holland to get special education at ”Rafael”, a school in Sint Michielsgestel, an Institute for Deaf persons up to 18 years. This explains why he only speaks Dutch.
During the time he was in Holland he was trained in:
General skills, communication characteristics, general techniques, textile art, self-sufficiency and domestic activities.
 
Fraichel likes to draw and last December he held a very successful show of his drawings.
Now Fraichel too is a client of Fundashon Pro Bista. In his free time he makes paintings and this keeps him busy. At Fundashon Pro Bista he also gets ample opportunity to work at this hobby. He has a room at his disposal where he can do what he likes to do most. Apart from this he participates in all the activities and he also attends computer classes given by our ICT trainer. He is a straightforward young man, who does honor to his last name.
He is a gifted artist and we will be hearing a great deal about him in the future.
Name client: Manuel Juliana
Manuel Juliana is one of the clients of Fundashon Pro Bista. He has been visiting us since 2004. This was after he had lost his sight in 2003 when he was shot by an acquaintance. One of the bullets hit him in the face, causing him to lose his sight on the spot. Later the doctor that treated him told him that he would never again regain his sight. The doctor immediately referred him to Fundashon Pro Bista, where he could get help and support. From that moment on in 2004, his life took a new turn.
The accident was a huge turning point in his life and it took him a lot of hard work to get to the point where he is now. At Fundashon Pro Bista he has learned a lot in a few years. Step by step he learned how to deal with daily things, like cooking, reading Braille and working on the computer.
The things he automatically does are now all being taught by the employees of Fundashon Pro Bista. Nowadays it’s easy for Manuel to find any room or department at Fundashon Pro Bista. He knows exactly where everything is and how to use all the facilities. He could easily give visitors a guided tour of Fundashon Pro Bista. Manuel does many things at Fundashon Pro Bista, which makes him feel very useful. Once he even did a radio and TV commercial for Pro Bista and according to Manuel that was a very educational and fun thing to do.
”I feel happy now and am lucky to be alive even thought it took me some time to realize this. I can’t say that I am extremely happy, since obviously I am no longer able to see all the good things life has to offer. But in its place I now work with people that show me love and give me attention. This motivates me and gives me the strength to go on and be happy and to accept my disability for what it is”, according to Manuel.
Edsel Estanista
 Edsel Estanista is a lawyer and now he too is a client and volunteer worker at Fundashon Pro Bista. In 1999 he suffered a partial loss of his sight. This was caused by a rise in water pressure on his brain, which affected his optic nerve. He is not blind, but is unable to read texts and see details. He can see mostly shadows. At the time he already knew about Fundashon Pro Bista and so he contacted them. He also learned to read Braille and can now read in 2 Braille languages.
Gradually he learned how to deal with his limitations. He taught himself how to work on a computer after he became impaired, since he already had ample experience working on a computer before that. So, with much practice it was rather easy for him to use a computer again. Nowadays he works as a volunteer at Fundashon Pro Bista, where he is the librarian and helps other clients in choosing appropriate reading material. His personal opinion is that the clients should read more, although he does understand why they do not like to read. For the rest Edsel helps Pro Bista in giving presentations and information, for schools as well as for the media.
He thinks that the work he does at Fundashon Pro Bista is very instructive and it keeps him busy for now.
Enrique Muller
Enrique Muller is a writer of books and also a translator here in Curacao. He has written and translated many fables, poems and children’s books. Enrique is also a client of Fundashon Pro Bista. Before he became blind he worked as a teacher at the PABO (Training College for primary education teachers) from 1975 to 1999. Before that he had studied Dutch in Holland. Following his work at the PABO he went to work at a linguistic bureau. Due to a tumor in his head, which had to be removed, he went blind. At the beginning it was very hard for him to get back on track because he was often ill and the medicine he was using made him too weak to stand on his own feet. Later when he felt a little better he came to Fundashon Pro Bista, which he knew about even before he went blind. At Pro Bista he learned how to read Braille and he received computer training using voice programs. He still finds Braille difficult to read, although he often uses a Braille typewriter to do his work. After getting rehabilitation in Holland he started working again. At first it was once a week, later it became three times. Together with his assistant he now translates children’s books, folk stories and fables. Enrique Muller also works as a volunteer at Fundashon Pro Bista and has, on numerous occasions, participated in local radio programs. He is also active in the Queen Beatrix Children’s Book fund.
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