Al-Nour wal Amal Orchestra by Fernando Moleres

In Egypt, being a blind woman without resources means having a bleak future outside the family environment and a negligible chance to make a living other than by begging.

Al-Nour wal Amal (Light and Hope) Association is an Egyptian nongovernmental organization founded in 1954 by Red Crescent volunteers to provide blind women and girls free education and help develop their musical talents. The association runs two orchestras, with roughly 35 members in each. Recently, the group toured all over the world, visiting more than 20 countries on five continents. The musicians use special techniques to overcome their unique challenges. Before playing, the musicians must read the music in Braille and memorize each selection in rehearsals. In the rehearsals, the conductor taps the beats to keep everyone synchronized.

"Our success shows that women, especially those with disabilities, can achieve their goals," says Shaimaa Yehia, a violinist in the orchestra.

The Spanish photographer Fernando Moleres has been documenting the musicians for many years, but he also followed them on their recent tour to Vienna, Prague, France and Malta.