March and April 2019 - webnews

school screenings

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In schools, we have found that teaching the children and teachers how to screen for eye problems is a really efficient way of finding those who need our help. The teacher contacts our community based worker and a plan is made for any child that has been identified as having eye problems.

St. Johns Primary School is only a few kilometres away from the Eye Centre, and during a recent screening 48 children were found to have reduced vision. The photo shows some of the children, happy now they can see more clearly with their new glasses!

working with CBM

CBM is an international organisation who's mission is to work with parts of society to address avoidable disability. We partner with them to tackle avoidable blindness. Our administrator Vera and accountant Zippy recently attended the CBM annual partners meeting in Kenya. They found it very interesting to learn about similar projects.

Our Administrator Vera (centre) and Accountant Zippy (second from right).

cataract surgeries

Cataract is still the main cause of reversible blindness in the areas surrounding the Eye Centre. Cost and accessibility remain the biggest obstacles to people receiving treatment. The Fred Hollows Foundation recently sponsored our team to perform over 200 cataract operations in a local government hospital. The photos show some of the people who underwent cataract surgery - now they can see!

optical developments

Our Optical department is so important - refractive error (needing glasses) is a major cause of visual impairment and so easily rectified with spectacles! Fred is in charge of our optical department. He recently travelled to Nairobi to the annual expo organised by lens manufacturer Essilor. He was able to see what was on offer and gather ideas on how to make spectacle supply smooth and beneficial to everyone.