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Our work in Senegal

Sightsavers has been working in Senegal since 2001 to prevent avoidable blindness and make sure eye care services are available for everyone who needs them.

Ndeye's mother embraces her as they sit in their family home

In Senegal, it’s thought that one in 100 people are blind, and many more are visually impaired.

Sightsavers’ work in the country aims to ensure eye health services are available to all, particularly those who are marginalised or vulnerable. We provided vision tests and deworming treatment in 31 schools as part of the School Health Integrated Programming project: in 2019 we screened more than 18,000 children for vision problems.

We’re also working to eliminate trachoma, a neglected tropical disease, which is a major public health problem in Senegal: about 25,000 people in the country are blind because of the disease.

Alongside eye health programmes, Sightsavers empowers people with disabilities so they can go to school, get a job and support themselves. In 2021, we helped 261 children with visual impairments and other disabilities in Senegal to go to school. We also helped to train teachers about inclusion, and are working in four regions to encourage people with disabilities to vote in local elections and take part in community decision-making.

Watch a video of our Senegal country director Salimata Bocoum speaking about our successful inclusive education project in the country.

At a glance

Total population
  • 16.2 million

  • What we focus on
  • Cataracts
  • Trachoma
  • Disability rights

  • Key programmes
  • Cataract surgery
  • Tropical Data Project
  • Accelerate
  • Inclusive education in Senegal

  • Previous programmes
  • SHIP: health in schools
  • Babacar performs surgery wearing protective equipment on a trachoma patient.

    How we’re making a difference in Senegal

    The COVID-19 pandemic meant pausing much of our trachoma work. However thanks to hard-working surgeons like Babacar, patients have been able to get the care they need.

    Read Babacar's story

    Your donation could help to protect sight

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    More from Senegal

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    In Senegal, we’re ensuring all children are able to go to school

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    May 2021 update: highlights from around the world

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    Where we work