14 good news stories in 2025 - Light for the World International

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Disability Rights
Economic Empowerment
Eye Health
Humanitarian Action
Inclusive Education

From championship-winning athletes to enterprising entrepreneurs, here are some of the year’s positive disability rights and eye health stories from Light for the World.

For many around the world, 2025 has been another year shaped by instability.

Conflicts, economic pressures and the accelerating climate crisis continued to affect people in lower-income countries — with people with disabilities among the hardest hit.

Yet despite these challenges, there is progress to celebrate.

This year, Light for the World worked with people with disabilities and eye conditions across Africa, including focus countries Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, South Sudan and Uganda. We focused on advancing disability rights, inclusive education, economic empowerment, humanitarian inclusion and eye health.

“People with disabilities continue to face barriers that are heightened by conflict, the climate crisis and political uncertainty,” says Marion Lieser, CEO at Light for the World International.

“That is precisely why our work alongside our trusted partners remains so crucial. Together, in 2025 we have driven forward disability-inclusive systems change, expanded access to essential services and strengthened resilience in the communities we work with.

“We launched Policy Briefs on disability rights and eye health, and our Strategy 2030 is now clearly guiding our efforts, helping us focus on long-term, sustainable impact. We are proud to share some of the positive achievements from this year.”

Here are 14 good news stories from 2025.

1. South Sudan secure blind football championship

Martin Ladu Paul in white and blue kit shields the ball from a Uganda defender in black and white kit during a tense moment. Both wear eye masks, and the ball is close to their feet. — The team is led by South Sudan Association of Visually Impaired (SSAVI) in partnership with Light for the World and the adidas Foundation as part of the United by Sport programme. © Light for the World / Oxygen Media Studios

The South Sudan national blind football team secured an historic African championship success on their international debut.

Blind football only started in South Sudan five years ago, but the team won the African Championship Division 2 after defeating hosts Uganda and the Zimbabwe national team. They will play in Division 1 next year, with a chance to reach the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.

2. Pioneering paediatric ophthalmologists

Dr Yaméogo testing the eyes of a four-year-old patient using a machine. The patient's mother is holding her head gently. — Dr Yaméogo tests the eyes of a young patient as her mother watches. © Roméo Moov / Light for the World

We spotlighted four pioneering paediatric ophthalmologists in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Mozambique and Uganda to mark World Sight Day with partners including IAPB.

Dr Claudette Yaméogo, in Burkina Faso, Dr Dagmawi Abebe, in Ethiopia, Dr Isaac Vasco da Gama, in Mozambique, and Dr Rebecca Lusobya, in Uganda, are trailblazers leading the drive to save children’s eyesight.

The paediatric ophthalmologists were trained under our pioneering “1, 2, 3 I can see!” child eye health programme, which has already reached more than 500,000 children.

3. A new tool for emergency disability data

Relief efforts in Buzi, following Cyclone Eloise. Bags of food and bottles are arranged on a large red mat. There is a big truck in the background with more supplies. The distribution takes place outside, with several men and women in the background of the image sorting the relief packages. There is blue sky and palm trees in the background. — Relief efforts in Buzi, following Cyclone Eloise. People with disabilities are up to four times more likely to die in emergencies. © Light for the World.

The first fully inclusive data collection tool for emergencies was revealed to close the disability data gap and ensure people with disabilities are included in emergency response and planning.

The Survey for Inclusive Rapid Assessment (SIRA) is an open-source, screen-reader-accessible tool that helps aid workers gather data so emergency responses reach people who would otherwise be missed.

The SIRA tool was developed by Light for the World in partnership with Mozambican OPD FAMOD under the Data That Matters project. Data collected in Cabo Delgado has already informed the Mozambican humanitarian response plan.

4. Proud to partner

Fatuma Mahamoud sits outdoors, smiling broadly. The background includes greenery and woven wooden panels. She is a mother of five who expanded her business after joining a Village Savings and Loan Association through the We Are Able! programme. — Fatuma Mahamoud completed a three-month training programme on Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA) under We Are Able. © Nema Juma / Light for the World

In 2025, we strengthened existing partnerships and started new collaborations to spark positive disability rights and eye health impact.

In Burkina Faso, we launched a project with Sightsavers to boost eye health in Cascades region, funded by L’Occitane Foundation. While in Mozambique, we again partnered with RED NOSES International to promote gender equity and disability inclusion in Sofala Province.

In Ethiopia, we launched a two-year project to strengthen livelihoods and build resilience in the Sidama Region as part of International Partnerships Austria. The Inclusive Futures programme came to a successful end in Kenya — having supported more than 1,700 micro-entrepreneurs with disabilities.

The five-year We Are Able programme also concluded in South Sudan and Uganda with a legacy of supporting advocacy efforts of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and influencing policies, particularly in food security.

Light for the World played an important role in global disability rights and eye health initiatives, including joining the WHO Disability Health Equity Network.

5. International media amplify disability rights and eye health

Screenshot of an article on child eye health in Mozambique from The New York Times. — The New York Times produced a feature on child eye health in Mozambique, including Light for the World’s work.

Light for the World’s projects featured in international media, including The New York Times, AFP, Associated Press, Radio France Internationale and Reuters, bringing crucial attention to disability rights and eye health.

Our work was also covered by prominent outlets in the countries where we work, including Ethiopia Broadcasting Corporation, Eye Radio (South Sudan) and Daily Monitor (Uganda).

We saw significant growth on our own channels, with followers on LinkedIn growing more than 50%, to 17,750.

6. Global Disability Summit

Emmanuel Izere, Elizabeth Adams and Suhuyini Sulemana Seidu stand in front of a billboard with the words "Global Disability Summit 2025 Berlin". They are smiling at the camera. — Emmanuel Izere, Elizabeth Adams and Suhuyini Sulemana Seidu at the Global Disability Summit.

We advocated for disability rights alongside more than 4,700 experts and activists at the Global Disability Summit.

As well as sharing our commitments — from inclusive eye health services to meaningful engagement of OPDs — we supported three young changemakers to share a key message: young people with disabilities can work.

Emmanuel Izere, Elizabeth Adams and Suhuyini Sulemana Seidu led the fireside chat, organised by Light for the World with African Disability Forum and Mastercard Foundation as part of the We Can Work programme.

7. Top tips for emerging entrepreneurs

Duncan Mwirichia, a Kenyan man wearing blue overalls and holding a plant. Behind him are rows of green plants and trees. He is smiling. — Duncan Mwirichia, a landscape gardener and entrepreneur who has a hearing disability. © Dennis Hombe / Light for the World.

Across our economic empowerment programmes, we continued to provide skills training and opportunities for entrepreneurs with disabilities.

Kenyan micro-entrepreneurs offered six practical tips on how to turn an idea into a thriving business. The tips, including from garage owner Anthony Maina, proved a big hit on social media.

Faustina Ning’a Cikanda, Senior Expert in Economic Empowerment at Light for the World, shared her own advice for building a sustainable enterprise. “When we design inclusive ecosystems that remove barriers, we enable powerful, community-rooted enterprises that deliver social and economic value where it’s needed most,” she said.

8. We launched our newsletter!

Light for the World launched our international newsletter to amplify stories from the people we work with.

In each newsletter — which will be released four times in 2026 — we share the story of someone doing extraordinary things to spark lasting change in disability rights and eye health. Our first issue spotlighted Doreck Ankunda — an award-winning actress and Deaf advocate from Uganda who uses the power of cinema to change minds about disability. Subscribe now.

9. Changemakers advocate for inclusion

Two women are outside smiling and high fiving with all hands. Doreck stands up wearing a white tshirt and Naome sits in a wheelchair with a grey shirt and leggings. You can tell they are good friends and having fun together, — Group images as part of the DIF video series. Naome and Doreck high five.

Our #CommitToInclusion campaign showcased the tips, insights and lived experiences on how to put inclusion into practice from three Disability Inclusion Facilitators from Uganda.

The campaign highlighted the unique DIF approach by passing the microphone to young agents of change.

We continued to train young women and men with disabilities to become powerful inclusion advocates across all the countries where we work – from advocating for inclusive political participation to supporting people with disabilities in emergency responses.

Alice Mbere, a Trainee Disability Inclusion Facilitator from Kenya, had a powerful message: “I believe I’m the change!”

Alice Mbere, a Trainee Disability Inclusion Facilitator in Kenya, smiles while holding up a Disability Inclusion Advisory Service Resource Book. She is wearing a bright dress of red and blue. — Alice Mbere, one of 27 young people with disabilities trained as Trainee Disability Inclusion Facilitators through the We Can Work programme in Kenya. © Dennis Hombe / Light for the World

10. Driving inclusive humanitarian action

David Liep, a South Sudanese refugee returnee, wearing a collared shirt and dark glasses. He is smiling at the camera. Three of his children and two of his nieces sit next to him - all are smiling at the camera. They are all in a temporary structure in Mangaten, a camp outside Juba. — David Liep, a South Sudanese refugee returnee with a disability, with family members. © Nema Juma / Light for the World

On World Refugee Day, we shared the story of David Liep to highlight the urgent and underreported challenges faced by refugees with disabilities.

David, a South Sudanese refugee returnee, fled the conflict in Sudan with his wife and three youngest children. As part of our work to make camps inclusive, Light for the World referred David to an eye clinic, while his wife, Kinith Makuem, received training to start a soap-making business.

We also won a Zero Project award for the IMPACT-BF project. Part of International Partnerships Austria, IMPACT-BF is transforming humanitarian action for internally displaced people and vulnerable communities in Burkina Faso’s Centre-East region together with OPDs, local organisations and government representatives.

“This award affirms the strength of our collaborative approach – where people with disabilities help shape, monitor and lead solutions that leave no one behind,” says Etienne Bagré, Country Director of Light for the World Burkina Faso.

A group of project participants from Burkina Faso and project staff join hands and smile. Some are sat in tricycles. — IMPACT-BF has won a Zero Project Award.

11. Equity in education

Wilsa Chitato Manuel, a 20-year-old woman from Mozambique, sits in a classroom and smiles at the camera. An open textbook is in her lap. She sits in a classroom and chairs cover the space in the background. — Wilsa Chitato Manuel dreams of becoming a geography teacher or radio presenter. © Vanessa dos Santos / Light for the World

We collaborated with partners to ensure every child claimed their right to education in 2025.

In Mozambique, we worked with OPD ADEMO on the International Partnerships Austria-funded InPower programme to refer girls and boys with disabilities to the education system.

Wilsa Chitato Manuel, 20, returned to school to complete her high school studies.

“Today, I dream of becoming a geography teacher or radio presenter — I want to share knowledge and inspire other people like me,” she says.

In South Sudan, we supported the next generation of teachers to lead disability-inclusive classes under the Education Cannot Wait programme.

12. Transforming eye health

Kedir Mohamed, a young Ethiopian boy sits smiling in a classroom while wearing a blue eye-testing frame used for vision screening. He wears a bright blue shirt over a pale green T-shirt. Behind him, the wall is painted yellow and blue, with hand-painted text in English that reads questions like “What is your name?” and “How old are you?” The boy appears happy and engaged during a school-based eye health screening. — Kedir Mohamed during a school eye health screening.

We continued to deliver accessible eye health services for children and adults, including those at risk of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).

In Ethiopia, we launched two new projects with Tigray Regional Health Bureau to support the elimination of trachoma in the country by 2030. The projects provide training for Trachomatous Trichiasis (TT) medical staff, mass trachoma screenings and house-to-house outreach.

Hagos Beyene, lead surgeon and optometrist at Axum Saint Mary’s Comprehensive Hospital in Ethiopia, performs an eye procedure on a patient lying on an examination table. — Hagos Beyene, lead surgeon and optometrist at Axum Saint Mary’s Comprehensive Hospital in Ethiopia, during an eye procedure. In 2025, Light for the World was recognised for its longstanding commitment to improving eye care in the country. © Abenezer Israel/Light for the World

We also finalised plans with the Ethiopia Ministry of Health and other key stakeholders for Ethiopia’s Second National Eye Health Survey — a crucial step to track progress and address gaps.

Meanwhile, 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 “1, 2, 3 I Can See!”.

13. Young storytellers shine

The winners of the We Can Work Storytelling competition in Uganda. On the left is Dr Rachael Kalinaki, in the middle Doreck Ankunda and on the right is Isaac Muhumuza. All three are dressed in bright colours and smiling. — We Can Work Storytelling competition winners in Uganda (L-R): Dr Rachael Kalinaki, Isaac Muhumuza and Doreck Ankunda.

Young Africans with disabilities showcased their unique storytelling ability for the first-of-its-kind We Can Work Narrative Competition.

Hundreds of storytellers aged 18-35 from Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Senegal, Ghana and Nigeria entered the competition, submitting everything from essays and art to films and photography.

Dr Rachael Kalinaki, a Ugandan doctor and advocate for inclusive healthcare, was named overall winner for her autobiographical essay, “From Can’t to Can: Shattering expectations as a Female Doctor with a Disability”.

14. Spotlight on expert colleagues

Composite photo of Dr Rediet Mesfin and Faustina Ning’a Cikanda, who have joined Light for the World as Senior Experts in Inclusive Education and Economic Empowerment respectively. Rediet is wearing a white dress and Faustina is wearing a brightly-coloured zip-up top. Both are smiling at the camera. The background is yellow. — Dr Rediet Mesfin (left) and Faustina Ning’a Cikanda joined Light for the World as Senior Experts in Inclusive Education and Economic Empowerment respectively.

New experts joined Light for the World in 2025, while existing colleagues shared insights at international events.

Richard Mativu, a renowned disability rights advocate and experienced social development leader, joined Light for the World Kenya as Country Director. Dr Rediet Mesfin joined as Senior Expert in Inclusive Education and Faustina Ning’a Cikanda as Senior Expert in Economic Empowerment.

We engaged in expert networks to drive global momentum for disability rights and eye health. Elie Bagbila, Head of Advocacy, was re-elected to the Members of the Board of Directors of the International Disability and Development Consortium (IDDC) and Dr Geoffrey Wabulembo was elected to the IAPB Board.

David Ndung’u, Disability Inclusion Field Officer, joined Equinet, European Network of Equality Bodies, to share examples of inclusive climate action.

Faustina joined Ambrose Murangira, Senior Expert, Disability Inclusion and José Machanguana, Disability Inclusion Advisor, to share cutting-edge approaches in agricultural development with colleagues from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

And Wolfgang Gindorfer, our Thematic Director for Child Eye Health and Uncorrected Refractive Error, was recognised for his work to improve eye health in Uganda with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Heroes in Health Awards.