Location: NIGERIA
Beneficiaries: Children with visual challenges
The Project
In the heart of Edo State, Nigeria, the School Eye Health Project has emerged as a beacon of hope for children in the impoverished communities of Uwelu and Evuotubu. This initiative, spearheaded by Daniel Femi, was inspired by the plight of a young girl named Gloria, who struggled with deteriorating eyesight at just nine years old. Gloria’s story underscores a widespread issue: many children in these underserved areas face significant visual health challenges that impede their academic performance and overall quality of life.
Over 300,000 people live in Egor, with Uwelu and Evuotubu being its largest communities. These areas are home to diverse tribes, including the Esan, Bini, and Owan, and are characterized by a lack of basic infrastructural amenities. Most residents are farmers, and their children often help on the farms, making it challenging to access healthcare services. The local health centers lack primary eye care services, leaving children particularly vulnerable to eye problems. Conducting the School Eye Health Project in these schools aims to significantly improve access to primary eye care services for these communities.
The Impact of the Seed Grant
With the support of TPP grant, the project extended its reach to three underserved community schools, conducting extensive visual screenings and providing over 800 students with free refraction services and tailored eyeglasses.
The impact of this initiative has been profound. Improved vision has enabled students to see classroom materials clearly, participate actively in lessons, read textbooks with ease, and engage more effectively with their teachers. The provision of corrective lenses has had a ripple effect on their academic performance and overall educational experience.
One poignant success story is that of Eseosa. A bright student with a passion for learning, Eseosa struggled with her vision, making it difficult to follow along in class and read her textbooks. Despite her challenges, she never gave up on attending school. During a visit to her school for an awareness campaign and visual screening, Eseosa eagerly participated, hoping for a solution. It was discovered that she had an uncorrected refractive error causing her vision problems.
Thanks to the visual screening and refraction services provided by the project, Eseosa received corrective lenses that dramatically improved her vision. She could finally see the board in the classroom and read her textbooks without difficulty. Overjoyed and grateful, Eseosa’s academic performance soared, allowing her to continue pursuing her dreams with renewed vigor.
Impact:
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Awareness Campaigns and Education: Over 800 students were educated during awareness campaigns, resulting in a 45% increase in student participation.
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Visual Screenings and Eye Examinations: A total of 835 students were screened for refractive errors, with 38% identified as having uncorrected refractive errors. Additionally, 150 students received free eyeglasses.
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Academic Performance: Students who received glasses experienced a 30% average increase in academic performance, and 70% reported improved grades.
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Long-term Vision Improvement: 85% of students with corrected vision continued to perform well academically, leading to a 68% reduction in the number of students struggling academically due to vision issues.
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Community Engagement and Sustainability: The project engaged 15 local volunteers, contributing to a 60% increase in community awareness about the importance of eye health.
With the support of the Pollination grant, our “School Eye Health Project” not only improved individual lives but also contributed to enhancing the educational landscape in Uwelu and Evuotubu communities.
The Future
The School Eye Health Project is committed to continuing its mission of improving the visual health of students in underserved communities. The next steps involve expanding outreach efforts, conducting more visual screenings, and ensuring that students in need receive eyeglasses. The project is dedicated to monitoring academic progress, engaging the community, and promoting sustainable eye health practices.
To secure the project’s long-term impact, efforts are underway to explore partnerships and sustainable funding sources. There are also plans to provide essential education and training to teachers and community members, empowering them to support eye health initiatives.
Furthermore, advocating for improved access to eye health services in underserved areas remains a priority. These steps are crucial in creating a lasting positive impact on the visual health and academic success of students in these communities, ultimately setting them on a path to brighter futures.
Daniel Femi
Daniel Femi is an optometrist and heartivist from Nigeria. During one of his vision care outreaches to the Uwelu communities of Edo State, he noticed a young girl named Gloria. Though he had encountered visually impaired children before, Gloria stood out. At just nine years old, she was remarkably intelligent and articulate.
Gloria candidly shared her struggles with Daniel. She explained how she often bumped into things while walking and couldn’t see objects at a distance, only those up close. This vision impairment had severely impacted her ability to see the chalkboard in school, and consequently, her grades had suffered.
As an emerging medical professional, Daniel reflected on the sorrowful sight of young children like Gloria who couldn’t experience the world clearly and were hindered in their academic performance due to visual impairments. He started a project to address this issue and applied for a grant to support his efforts.