Project Report
| Oct 2, 2019
Turn on the Tap for Education and Sight
By Aine Dolan | Development Assistant
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In 2018 there were a total of almost four million Ethiopians who were either blind or visually impaired. In 2013, over 880,000 of its citizens suffered from trachoma; a painful debilitating disease that may result in complete sight loss. But because of hard work and your support this has dropped to 287,000 in 2018. However, there is a gender gap in trachoma treatment as seventy perscent of all people affected by trachoma are female.
Clean water is a crucial component of the SAFE (Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial Cleanliness, Environment improvement) strategy for fighting trachoma. Orbis works to promote eye health messaging in the local community, helping people to understand the link between facial cleanliness and fighting trachoma.To help prevent the spread of trachoma in Ethiopia, Orbis has built water access points in rural Ethiopia. We met Ejigayehu and her two daughters; Mirtinesh and Meskerem, at an Orbis water point seconds from their home in Gama Gofa, Ethiopia.
Before the water point was built, Ejigayehu and her children would have to walk two or three hours just to get water. Their source was the river, so the water was not even clean. Ejigayehu's community now use this water supply for drinking, washing, cooking, and cleaning. Mirtinesh and Meskerem are very happy with the water point as now they have more time to study and play with their friends as they don't have to spend hours walking for water.
We want to say thank you for all your support and so do Mirtinesh and Meskerem.
“We use this for drinking, for washing clothes and for cooking. Now that we are using this, it means we have more time to study! We are very happy to have this water. Thank you Orbis!”
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Jul 8, 2019
More than just Teachers
By Diane Weatherup | Development Director
![Banchi (School Eye Care Clubs)]()
Banchi (School Eye Care Clubs)
“I enjoy it. I’m happy when I help someone!” - Banchi (School Teacher, Southern Ethiopia)
To tackle the spread of trachoma in schools, Orbis has established school eye care clubs across Ethiopia, where students learn how to take good care of their eyes and what to do if their vision begins to deteriorate; and the importance of hygiene for good eye care.
Banchi has been teaching biology for five years in a school in southern Ethiopia. Three years ago, she received training from Orbis in primary eye care, allowing her to diagnose eye conditions and refer students at the school she works in. Banchi's role also includes managing the school eye care club – pupils join and learn about trachoma, eye care and the importance of good hygiene. Pupils then share this knowledge among their peers, families and community.
There are fifty students in Banchi’s club, and they do a performance every semester on trachoma and eye care, which the whole school attends.
Banchi points out that it’s not just the pupils that come and watch, but people from the community also. A typical performance includes poems, a short play, and a song accompanied by a traditional dance.
Banchi’s role is an important one, and she is making a difference in the school and the community, ensuring everyone is using the clean water provided!
Thank you for supporting Orbis.
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Apr 9, 2019
Help even more children like Meskenem
By Diane Weatherup | Development Director
![Meskenem is only 4 and is suffering from trachoma]()
Meskenem is only 4 and is suffering from trachoma
Meskenem is just four years old. Her eyes are red-rimmed, teary, and she rubs them constantly. Tragically, she has suffered like this for a year.
Orbis is working to free children, like Meskenem, from pain, suffering and the threat of blindness. Through providing sight saving surgeries, distributing antibiotics, teaching communities about the importance of facial cleanliness and improving the water supply - Orbis is eliminating blinding diseases.
For this week only, your donation to Orbis could go even further. You could help even more children like Meskenem. Children who are suffering unimaginable pain and discomfort. Children at immediate risk of blindness Ethiopia. Children with trachoma.
From today until Friday, donate to Orbis through GlobalGiving's Little by Little Campaign and every donation up to $50 will be matched at 50%. A $50 donation would enable Orbis to conduct seven sight saving surgeries in Ethiopia. GlobalGiving would match this donation to enable Orbis to conduct three more!
Relieving Meskenem from pain will not only enable her to see again, but she will be able to return to school, play with her friends and have the childhood that everyone deserves.
Thank you for your support.
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