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Where we work

Sightsavers’ programmes began in Africa in the 1950s, and we now work in more than 30 countries across Africa and Asia.

Our programmes cover northern and central Africa and Asia, in the countries highlighted in white on the map

Your donation today could help change lives

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Our global history

Sightsavers’ first programmes started in the 1950s in Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Nigeria.

In the 1960s and 1970s our work expanded into Asia, with our first projects in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, and we continued to extend our work into several other African countries. Most recently, we started work in Yemen in 2018.

We now work in more than 30 countries, and have project offices in 25 of these countries. We also have fundraising offices in the UK, Ireland, United States, Italy and Norway.

Read about our latest work

Angeshita smiles broadly.
Sightsavers stories
Stories / Eye health /

“I’m a living testimony of cataract surgery”

When Angeshita regained her independence after her eye operation, so did her family. After caring for her for several years. they are now able to return to school and work, giving them all hope for the future.

An eye health doctor wearing a smart white shirt and sunglasses.
Sightsavers stories
Stories / Eye health /

Eye health hero: Alinafe cuts the queues

Learn about one man's mission to make a difference in his community in rural Malawi by training as an eye health specialist. Now, long queues at the eye clinic are a thing of the past.

A female community drug distributor measures a girl to see how much medication she needs to protect her from trachoma.
Sightsavers stories
Stories / Fighting disease /

“Our programme has transformed communities”

Now in its sixth year, the Accelerate programme has already delivered 53 million treatments to protect people from trachoma, and managed 91,000 advanced cases of the disease.

How one couple’s vision helped millions to see

About our founders