The Gambia
Our work in The Gambia focuses on eliminating trachoma, an infectious disease that can cause immense pain and blindness.
Sightsavers works with The Gambia’s ministry of health and social welfare to control and eliminate trachoma.
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.
At a glance
Total populationWhat we focus on
Key programmes
How we’re making a difference
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 storyYour donation could help to protect sight
DONATEMore from western Africa
November updates: highlights from around the world
News about a programme that has distributed more than 137,000 pairs of glasses across eight countries. Plus updates from Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire, Mozambique and more.
Embessal’s story
Embessal Moreira, head teacher at a school in northern Guinea-Bissau, has been trained to distribute medication that treats and protects children against intestinal worms.
Aruna’s story
Despite knowing how important it is to go to school, 12-year-old Aruna struggled to keep up his attendance after catching schistosomiasis, which can cause severe abdominal pain.
October updates: highlights from around the world
In October, celebrations took place in many of Sightsavers' programme countries to mark World Sight Day. Plus news from Kenya, Mozambique and more.
September highlights: updates from around the world
News from Zambia, where Sightsavers helped Felix to gain his ophthalmology diploma. Plus news from Guinea, Togo and more.
Sierra Leone Eye Care Programme
More than 90 per cent of all blindness in Sierra Leone is also avoidable, significantly higher than the global average. This project aims to help reduce avoidable blindness and vision impairment.
June highlights: updates from around the world
A round-up of the latest work that your donations help to support. Featuring news from India, Kenya, Senegal, Uganda and Nigeria.
“We’ve learned to treat all children equally”
Sightsavers' Kate McCoy travelled to northern Sierra Leone to visit a school where teachers are being specially trained to support children with disabilities.
Yaya’s story
When Gambian community leader Yaya caught trachoma, he was forced to stop working. After a successful operation, people are happy to have him back.
We save sight in 30 countries worldwide
Where we work