- News Wrap
- Disability Rights
- Eye Health
April 2025 News Wrap — our work, successes and impact.
Youth with disabilities lead the way at Global Disability Summit
Light for the World joined over 4,700 disability rights experts and activists from more than 160 countries at the Global Disability Summit in Berlin, Germany.
Three young changemakers for disability rights led a fireside chat where they shared a key message: young people with disabilities can work. And the perspectives of youth with disabilities are essential to inform the policies and practices shaping their futures.
The fireside chat was organised by Light for the World, together with African Disability Forum and Mastercard Foundation as part of the We Can Work programme.
“Employers must shift their mindset from pity to potential, recognising that young people with disabilities bring skills, resilience, and unique perspectives to the workforce,” said Seidu, a Disability Inclusion Facilitator from Ghana.
The Summit doesn’t end here. Now we need donors, governments, development partners and policy makers to turn words into action. You can read our Global Disability Summit commitments here.
Eye health fair for Mozambican Women’s Week
Hundreds of people have received free eye consultations, medicine and affordable eye glasses at an “eye health fair” in Beira, Mozambique.
The event, held as part of Mozambican Women’s Week, together with Beira Central Hospital, was a celebration of life, health and the right to see the world more clearly. For many, it was their first time receiving specialised eye care — a reality that has a direct impact on quality of life and social inclusion.
Lurdes Natália, 39, found out about the fair through social media.
“I needed this consultation, and it turned out that I have a sight problem and I need to buy reading glasses,” said Lurdes.
“Don’t leave anything for later, because health is important.”
The fair wasn’t just about eye health, with information also provided on nutrition and family planning. Educational talks, conversation circles and personalised advice focused on topics that are essential to the health of Mozambican women and their families.
Government leaders trained on disability awareness
Thirty Human Resources professionals from government ministries, departments and agencies have taken part in a Disability Awareness Training, organised by Light for the World in Nairobi, Kenya.
The training, held in partnership with the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, helped government agencies to rethink their inclusive employment strategies. I policies, work environments and access to information – to support the needs of people with disabilities in meaningful and sustainable ways.
Real-life scenarios helped participants identify and address attitudinal, structural and systemic barriers to inclusive and sustainable employment.
Through these trainings, we provide technical support to both public and private sector institutions to integrate inclusion into their operations, ensuring it becomes a core part of workplace culture and drives lasting change.
Projects launched to combat trachoma in Tigray
Light for the World and Tigray Regional Health Bureau have launched two new projects to work towards elimination of trachoma in Ethiopia by 2030.
The projects support training for Trachomatous Trichiasis (TT) medical staff, mass trachoma screenings and house-to-house outreach in Tigray, Ethiopia. A total of 125 health personnel will receive TT surgery training through these two projects.
Operation Sight II, which is supported by Orbis and Children Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), focuses on TT surgery services in Eastern and Western zones of Tigray and districts surrounding Mekelle City. By the end of 2026, 57,000 adults will be screened for trachoma, and 5,000 Trachomatous Trichiasis surgeries will be performed.
The TT surgery service provision in Central zone of Tigray, Ethiopia Project, supported by The END Fund, focuses on expanding TT surgery services in 19 districts. The project will screen 76,000 adults and conduct 7,600 TT surgeries by June 2027.
Light for the World has also supplied the Tigray Health Bureau with surgical equipment and essential medical supplies.
“The medical supplies will help to contribute to the elimination of trachoma and strengthen the health system in the region,” said Suadik Hassen, Light for the World Ethiopia Country Director.
“The partnership between Light for the World and Tigray Health Bureau will further advance efforts towards eliminating NTDs and preventable blindness in the region.”
The handover was covered by Tigrai TV (in Tigrinya).
New guideline for disability-inclusive child eye health
Light for the World has developed a Disability Inclusive Community Conversation (DICC) guideline to foster inclusivity, raise awareness and improve early detection of eye conditions in children.
As part of the “1, 2, 3 I can see!” child eye health programme, the DICC aims to strengthen community knowledge of child eye health and support early identification and treatment of visual impairments in children.
To roll out the new guideline, Light for the World hosted a three-day Training of Trainers (ToT) for child eye health experts and managers. The goal: prepare them to train Health Extension Workers who will take the message to communities.
By strengthening skills at every level, this initiative helps to advance eye care in diverse populations and to ensure all children get the care they need.
In case you missed it…
- Nieman Journalism Lab, part of Harvard University, reported on Light for the World’s work supporting people with disabilities affected by flooding in South Sudan.
- LeFaso.net covered how Impact-BF is providing income-generating activities for people with disabilities and those who have been displaced in Burkina Faso.
- And congratulations to Elie Bagbila, Head of Advocacy at Light for the World, on his re-election to the Members of the Board of Directors of the International Disability and Development Consortium (IDDC) and to Dr Geoffrey Wabulembo for his election to the IAPB Board!
