In January 2021, Sightsavers Ireland received a grant of €14,253 from ElectricAid. This grant supported Sightsavers in their project to integrate eye screenings into schools in Nampula, Northern Mozambique. Nampula is the most populous province in the country and is thought to have the greatest number of people blind from avoidable causes per head of population than any other region in Africa. Blindness and low vision have a profound impact on the lives of individuals, families, especially children and their access to education.
Over the course of 2021, the main aim of the project was to reach as many children as possible and clear any backlog of children awaiting eye screenings. With the help of the grant provided by ElectricAid, Sightsavers were able to carry out eye screenings on targeted schools, train teachers and support community health. The pandemic provided continuous challenges to the project, to mitigate these challenges Sightsavers worked closely with the government bodies and other key stakeholders. Teacher training and eye health screenings were carried out in a socially distanced manner and face masks were worn to reduce the spread of infection. The pandemic also presented an opportunity to reinforce messaging around sanitation and hygiene for children, parents and communities which goes hand in hand with eye health care.
Thanks to this project, 5,238 children were screened which was 4.7% over Sightsavers’ target. From this, 126 children identified with refractive error were provided free glasses. Many children and families in rural communities do not have access to health services. Barriers include distance, cost, and lack of transport. Through projects like this, Sightsavers aims to bring services to remote communities, alleviating burdens and costs. The other people who benefitted from this project included 20 teachers who were trained in eye healthcare including refractive error and cataracts. This will have a lasting and generational impact for the communities in Nampula. These teachers will be able to screen new school children every term, and train other teachers, creating a sustainable referral process. 152 Community Health Workers trained on disability and inclusion and COVID-19 safety and finally 3 Ophthalmologists were trained to gain professional qualification.
“On behalf of the children, adults, and wider communities in Nampula who have benefited from this programme and can now access quality and inclusive eye care, I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude. Thank you to all at ElectricAid for the generous grant of €14,253. Truly it has changed so many children’s lives in a sustainable and impactful way, supporting communities for generations to come. We hope you can continue to help us save and restore the sight of many more people in the year ahead. Thank you again for believing in and advocating for a more equal world”
electricaid.ie 