- News Wrap
Our work, successes and impact in August 2024.
Cataract surgery outreach saves sight
A dedicated eye health team from Arba Minch Hospital, Ethiopia, completed 261 successful cataract surgeries during a four-day outreach, supported by Light for the World.
The team focused on restoring sight and improving the quality of life for individuals affected by cataracts during the outreach, at Karat Primary Hospital, in the town of Konso Karat.
Kayoela Karata (pictured above), a 35-year-old farmer and father of five, had been struggling with sight loss due to a bilateral cataract, which made farming and taking care of his family difficult.
“When I heard the team would be coming to Karat town, I was very happy and decided to come here right away,” Kayoela says.
After an operation on both eyes, he can see perfectly.
“I’m eager to be active both on my farm and socially again,” he says.
Artistic students show off progress
Students with disabilities in Mangateen, a camp for Internally Displaced People in Juba, South Sudan, showcased their artistic ability during a visit from Light for the World.
They include Nyaman Gatluak (pictured), who was identified as a candidate for physiotherapy during home-to-home visits in 2019. Now 14, Nyaman enjoys attending DMI primary school in Mangateen.
Nyaman, who wants to become a teacher, drew a photo of one of her best friends, Nyachiek. She continues to receive physiotherapy organised by Light for the World.
“I am now strong, I can now hold my pencil properly while drawing and writing,” she says.
“Our teacher John has made the school so accessible and easy, like at the gate and even in the classroom and washrooms. And he frequently follows up with me on my performance.”
Support for child eye health in Uganda
About 150,000 Ugandan schoolchildren will have eye tests in the next two years after the Austrian Ministry of Social Affairs and Health pledged support to Light for the World.
The initiative was revealed at an online press conference with Johannes Rauch, Austrian Minister for Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection, and Silvester Kasozi, Country Director of Light for the World Uganda.
“No child should go blind if it can be medically avoided. No child should drop out of school because they have poor eyesight,” Silvester told the press conference.
“With the ‘1,2,3, I Can See’ programme, Light for the World is not only sustainably improving eye health in Uganda but also the children’s future prospects.”
Top award for Light for the World Kenya
Light for the World Kenya has received the Inclusion and Diversity Champion of the Year Award from the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA).
The prestigious award, recognising work promoting economic inclusion of people with disabilities, was presented at the inaugural KEPSA SME (small and medium-sized enterprises) conference.
The award recognises Light for the World Kenya’s commitment to ensuring entrepreneurs and SMEs owned by people with disabilities have equal access to financing and market linkages.
Light for the World Kenya is a member of KEPSA and collaborates with businesses committed to inclusion, and to collectively shape a future where every entrepreneur has the opportunity to thrive.
Academy graduation for budding entrepreneurs
From shoe stores and restaurants to fashion boutiques and bakeries, young entrepreneurs with disabilities in Uganda are ready to bring their business ideas to life.
The entrepreneurship track of the We Can Work Academy supported 17 young women and men through an intense four-week training and mentorship programme.
In partnership with MoTIV and Crosswise Works, the entrepreneurs will now join a business incubation programme, offering guidance on how to make their business a success.
“I’m launching a shoe business in Kasanga, where students are always in need of quality footwear,” says Kayondo Emma, one of the participants.
“Thanks to the training at MoTIV, I’m confident in my customer base and location.”
In case you missed it…
- Lefaso.net reported on two Light for the World projects in Burkina Faso. One article featured the showcase of agricultural tools adapted for farmers with disabilities as part of AgriLab, and one focused on the donation of eye health equipment to Kaya health district.
- Akzente, the storytelling portal of GIZ, the German development agency, profiled Light for the World’s international board member Stanley Mutuma ahead of the Paralympic Games.
- Our latest article focuses on four ways to support young people with disabilities to find fulfilling work, based on insights from the launch of the We Can Work Academy.
- Lydia Abenaitwe, a Programme Officer for Inclusive Employment at Light for the World Uganda, spoke to New Vision about discrimination against people with disabilities in the workplace.
