- News Wrap
- Disability Rights
- Eye Health
November 2025 News Wrap — our work, successes and impact.
More than 500 people have regained their sight after a successful eye surgery outreach in Amhara, Ethiopia.
Medical teams performed 511 eye surgeries during the five-day outreach campaign at Felege Hiwot Hospital, including 477 people regaining sight through successful cataract procedures — tackling the leading cause of blindness. The remaining patients received trachoma surgeries.
The outreach was part of Light for the World’s Comprehensive Eye Health Project, which has been expanded by Amhara Regional Health Bureau (ARHB), marking an important step towards sustainable, inclusive eye care in the region.
This initiative shows how coordinated efforts between regional health authorities and partners can reduce avoidable blindness and improve access to essential eye care.
South Sudan’s blind football team makes history
The South Sudan blind football team captured global attention with their stellar performance at the African Championship, defeating hosts Uganda and Zimbabwe to qualify for Division 1 and take a giant step toward the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles.
“People back home are praising our name because we are representing our country. We are so proud and happy,” said Martin Ladu Paul, who was named player of the tournament.
Their journey was covered by international media, including Reuters and RFI, with stories reaching audiences from France to Taiwan. Every major outlet in South Sudan, including Eye Radio, celebrated their victory, amplifying the message of inclusion and resilience.
Strengthening partnerships for inclusion
Light for the World International CEO Marion Lieser has held high-level meetings with key partners in Ethiopia, reinforcing our commitment to disability inclusion, eye health and the elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).
Marion Lieser met partners including Institutional Partnerships Austria, the END Fund and the Federation of Ethiopian Associations of Persons with Disabilities (FEAPD).
She said: “Through strong partnerships and collective action, we are breaking barriers and fostering a more inclusive world. Our commitment to disability inclusion and eye health is unwavering, and together me can achieve lasting impact.”
H.E. Dr. Dereje Duguma, State Minister at the Ministry of Health, praised Light for the World’s technical leadership in eye health and NTD elimination, calling for deeper collaboration in health system strengthening and workforce development.
Global launch of WHO Health Equity Network
Global momentum for inclusive health gained traction as the WHO Disability Health Equity Network launched in Geneva, uniting over 150 members including governments, disability organisations, universities and civil society groups.
Marieke Boersma, Head of Programme Quality and Systems Change at Light for the World, said: “We are proud to join this movement to advance disability rights in global health. Together, we can ensure health systems are inclusive and equitable for all.”
In case you missed it…
- Our We Can Work programme kicked off a social behavioural change campaign on social media, calling for inclusion in the workplace. Follow the hashtags #PlayTheFullDeck and #ShowYourCard to participate.
- As global climate actors looked towards COP30, we busted some common myths about the climate crisis and called for disability inclusion in climate action. Read more here.
- Light for the World teams from Uganda, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso and Austria, alongside partners from the Ministries of Health and Education, gathered to review progress and strategise for the “1,2,3… I Can See!” Child Eye Health Programme.
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