Sightsavers and Irish Aid
Our partnership with Irish Aid will enable us to change thousands of lives in four countries in West Africa.
In 2017, Sightsavers received a development funding grant from Irish Aid to support our work in West Africa.
The grant supports work in four countries – Cameroon, Liberia, Senegal and Sierra Leone – to enable us to save sight and change lives while delivering measurable results and accountability. The investment will help us:
- improve eye healthcare in Sierra Leone, Senegal and Liberia
- treat and prevent neglected tropical diseases such as river blindness
- improve education opportunities for children with disabilities
- ensure people with disabilities have a voice and play an active role in the political process
- campaign for the rights of people with disabilities, and engage the Irish public to support our campaign work.
Our partnership with Irish Aid also enables Sightsavers Ireland to engage the Irish public through our nationwide schools engagement programme, teaching primary school students about the importance of sight and the daily challenge of living with disability. In this way, the schools programme raises awareness about the UN’s Global Goals (also known as the Sustainable Development Goals), which are crucial for the future of millions of people around the world.
How Irish Aid is supporting our work
Promoting inclusive education
We believe all children should have the chance to go to school. In Senegal, we’re working with Irish Aid to ensure students with disabilities can learn alongside their classmates: we’re training teachers, providing resources and promoting inclusive education.
Read Seynabou’s story
Fighting for disability rights
In Cameroon, people with disabilities who want to vote in elections find they face many obstacles. Since 2011, with funding from Irish Aid, Sightsavers has been supporting people with disabilities to take part in the democratic process in Cameroon.
Our political work in Cameroon
Protecting against disease
More than 6.9 million people in Sierra Leone are at risk of lymphatic filariasis, a debilitating disease that causes painful disfigurement. We’re working with Irish Aid to educate communities at risk, and are training local volunteers to give out vital medication.
About lymphatic filariasis
Providing essential eye care
It's thought that up to half the people in Liberia live in rural areas that lack basic eye health services. With the help of Irish Aid, we’re training staff, providing sight-saving operations and encouraging the government to strengthen its eye care policies.
More from Liberia
How Irish Aid is supporting our work with schools
Sightsavers and schoolsMore from Sightsavers and Irish Aid
Khady’s story
“I met so many children with disabilities who were not going to school and there was no institution to welcome them. So I started fighting for that aim.”
Nanny’s story
Nanny Powers founded Cameroon’s National Association of Persons with Short Stature, a disability organisation for people with restricted growth.
Education for all in Sierra Leone
Abdul is one of many children who has benefited from the Education for All project that aims to give all children with disabilities access to a better quality education.
Mbalmayo Disability Group, Cameroon
In Cameroon there are laws protecting the rights of people with disabilities, including the right to vote. Yet many still struggle to access the ballot box.
Michel’s story
“The message we want to give through this radio show is that people with disabilities in Cameroon are able to take part in the electoral process.”
Seynabou’s story
One day Seynabou heard a visiting teacher talk about an inclusive school for children with disabilities, and she jumped at the chance to go.
