We treat people with advanced stages of the disease, often through surgery, and monitor active cases of trachoma across the country. The project distributes antibiotics to protect against the disease.
Sightsavers also aims to increase the number of people trained to diagnose and treat refractive error. We have provided spectacles for those who need them, and helped to set up a new vision centre in the country, which we publicised through radio shows, billboards and posters.
In previous years we’ve also helped to diagnose and treat cataracts in The Gambia, providing sight-saving surgery to restore people’s vision.
Yaya caught trachoma four years ago. As his sight deteriorated, he suffered constant pain and was unable to fulfil his duties as head of the village. But thanks to a straightforward operation, the pain is gone and he is once again leading his community.
Read Yaya’s storyOn 30 January 2021, Sightsavers joined global celebrations to mark the fight against neglected tropical diseases.
To find out the challenges of teaching children, particularly those with disabilities, during health crises we spoke with Abdul Kandeh Turay, a teacher in Rokulan, Sierra Leone.
In Sierra Leone, children with disabilities are often considered not worth educating. We've worked with schools to make sure these children are not left behind.
As the 17-year-long Seeing is Believing project comes to an end, Imran Khan goes behind the scenes to reveal why it has made such an impact.
Following rigorous safety measures, we have been able to restart our work fighting disease and saving sight all over the world.
Sightsavers project officer Eric Musa visits Marie, who has been blind since birth, to find out how she’s continued her education throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.