Download Activity report 2009/2010 (PDF)

LIGHT FOR THE WORLD supports 139 projects in 21 countries around the globe. (Status: 19 May 2010)

Programme work in other countries

Mozambique

Prevention of Blindness and rehabilitation Only 7 ophthalmologists work in Mozambique outside of the capital Maputo. Two of them are stationed at the LIGHT FOR THE WORLD supported eye clinic in Beira to help provide access to eye care in the central and northern parts of the country. This is achieved by organizing mobile outreaches, training local eye care staff and building a sustainable medical infrastructure. A pilot programme for inclusive education was launched in Mangunde. In Beira, a highly successful Community Based Rehabilitation Programme is entering its second year and already tends to more than 100 clients.

Rwanda

Eye clinic in Kabgayi In Rwanda, only 10 ophthalmologists serve a population of over 10 Million people. To improve this situation, LIGHT FOR THE WORLD has supported the eye department of the district hospital in Kabgayi since 2003. Thanks to the improvement of infrastructure, training of specialists and staff, mobile eye care and continuous support, five times more patients are now being treated. Being the only institution in Rwanda equipped for eye surgery on children, the Kabgayi eye clinic also plays an important role in combating childhood blindness. As there are still no academic studies in ophthalmology in Rwanda, the Kabgayi eye clinic provides practical training during a three month internship to Rwandese doctors who are studying abroad. As a result, the first Rwandese ophthalmologist in the history of the Kagbayi clinic started operating in 2010.

East Africa

Human Resource Development for eye care in Africa For a sustainable eye care system training of ophthalmologists and other qualified cadres in eye care is as important as building and equipping eye units. Among the activities in the field of training in priority countries, LIGHT FOR THE WORLD supports post-graduate training in ophthalmology for medical doctors from African countries through scholarships at the tertiary training institutions in Nairobi (Kenya), Moshi (Tanzania) and Mbarara (Uganda). In the year 2009 5 new students started their term at the University of Nairobi.

Tanzania

Rehabilitation and eye care LIGHT FOR THE WORLD supports a programme for people with disabilities in Dar es Salaam that treats people, even if they cannot pay much. In addition to departments for orthopaedics, ophthalmology, and a centre for fistula surgery the hospital is the main base of a Community Based Rehabilitation Programme for various parts of Dar es Salaam. Field workers visit persons with disabilities on a regular basis to help them develop their skills and lead a self-sustained life. To strengthen the rights of persons with disabilities, we support a consortium of 14 disabled persons organisations. In Moshi, in the Kilimanjaro region, we support a hospital and ophthalmologic training centre specialised in treating eye problems of children. In the year 2009, 243 children received cataract surgery.

Uganda

Treatment of refractive errors In Uganda, LIGHT FOR THE WORLD initiated and supports the first nationwide programme for the correction of refractive errors. In cooperation with the Ugandan ministry of health and the ICEE (International Centre for Eye Education), LIGHT FOR THE WORLD trains eye care specialists to treat people with refractive errors and low vision. A training programme for opticians helps to provide a sustainable supply of high quality spectacles for the population. Local production ensures low cost so that the spectacles are affordable for all.

Northeast India: Rehabilitation and ophthalmologic work

Northeast India is the most underprivileged region of the country, nearly 50 % of the population are illiterate. LIGHT FOR THE WORLD supports 11 initiatives for Community Based Rehabilitation in rural areas, providing persons with disabilities with educational and health services and helping them to claim their rights. Inclusive education is an important focus of LIGHT FOR THE WORLD. This concerns training of special teachers, support of centres for persons with disabilities and the inclusion of children with disabilities in regular schools. The rate of blindness in Northeast India of 2.45 % is exceptionally high. 1 million blind persons live in nearly isolated communities. We help five local hospitals to bring eye care to people living in remote areas.

Pakistan: Prevention of blindness and rehabilitation

LIGHT FOR THE WORLD supports the National Programme for the Prevention of Blindness by establishing comprehensive eye care services reaching the rural population and training of eye care personnel. Together with the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) a pilot project to screen for and treat refractive errors in schools was started. In the North of Pakistan, we work together with the Dutch organisation DARK & LIGHT to ensure medical attention and education for children with disabilities.

Papua New Guinea: Rehabilitation and education

Incredibly 60% of Papua New Guinea's school children were diagnosed with hearing problems. Supported by the European Union, LIGHT FOR THE WORLD supports a network of Community Based Rehabilitation Programmes. The goal is to prevent further loss of hearing and to help hearing impaired children receive education.

Haiti: Rebuilding and rehabilitation

After the devastating earthquake in January 2010, LIGHT FOR THE WORLD is rebuilding a rehabilitation facility in Port-au-Prince, which was opened in March 2010. We also support the reestablishment of eyecare, ear, nose and throat services. Both projects are carried out in collaboration with CBM Germany to ensure optimal use of resources.

Bolivia: Giving a future

Eight rehabilitation and education programmes for children with disabilities are supported under the auspices of LIGHT FOR THE WORLD in Bolivia. The main goal for 2010 is to implement possibilities for rehabilitation at the community level. Community Based Rehabilitation Programmes have commenced in Sacaba, San Ignacio, El Torno and Cabezas. We also collaborate with the University of Cochabamba in the first MA programme on disability in Bolivia.

Bosnia-Herzegovina

Integration In 10 Bosnian communities, LIGHT FOR THE WORLD supports local initiatives on the integration of persons with disabilities. The primary objective is to lobby for inclusive education and to make schools accessible for children with disabilities. LIGHT FOR THE WORLD also cooperates with the blind school in Sarajevo through a training exchange with the Federal Institute for the Blind (Vienna).