Training Teachers to Save Sight

For many children Orbis works with, school is where vision problems are first discovered. That’s why we want to take a moment to recognise the dedicated, hardworking teachers who play a crucial role in identifying and addressing eye health issues among their students.

When it comes to detecting vision problems in young children, it’s often the adults around them who first notice something isn’t quite right. At home, parents, siblings, and other family members may notice signs through play or communication. However, many eye conditions only become apparent when a child starts school, where reading, writing, and even social interactions rely heavily on clear vision.

Teachers are often the first to recognise these challenges. A child struggling to read from the blackboard, holding books too close, or having difficulty engaging in class may be experiencing vision problems. Without early intervention, minor issues can escalate, affecting a child's learning and overall development.

To address these challenges, Orbis partners with schools worldwide, including in Ethiopia, to integrate vision care into the learning environment. Our work includes conducting refractive error screenings to identify children in need of glasses, ensuring those who require them wear them, and training teachers to recognise early signs of vision problems.

Teachers play a key role in spotting vision problems early, ensuring children get the care they need. Integrating eye health into schools helps prevent small issues from becoming major barriers to learning.

In Ethiopia, we are tackling trachoma—a painful, blinding eye infection—by equipping teachers with primary eye care and vision screening skills. Through our training programs, teachers can:

• Detect the early signs of eye disease and refer students for treatment before it’s too late.
• Lead school-based eye care clubs, where students learn proper eye care practices and the importance of hygiene in preventing trachoma.
• Empower students to educate their families and communities, creating a ripple effect of knowledge that helps curb the spread of eye infections.

Banchi, a dedicated biology teacher in Ethiopia, is one of the many teachers making a significant impact. Thanks to Orbis-supported training in primary eye care, she can now diagnose conditions, identify symptoms of trachoma, cataracts, and refractive errors, and refer students for treatment. Her efforts are changing lives, ensuring that children receive the care they need to thrive in school and beyond.

None of this would be possible without your support. Thank you - on behalf of everyone at Orbis whom you have helped.

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Ashebr, a 14-year-old student from Ethiopia, is passionate about preventing trachoma. He learned all about trachoma, and ways to prevent it in his school's eye care club, led by teachers trained on eye health by Orbis.

Even during the summer holidays, Ashebr and his classmates demonstrated their knowledge by creating a poster on trachoma and giving a classroom presentation. Ashebr confidently explained key practices, like washing hands with soap and water, avoiding unclean rags, and sharing health tips with his peers.

As a member of the school eye club club, Ashebr learns how to spot early signs of eye disease and how to take care of his eyes. The club also spreads important messages about hygiene and trachoma prevention to the wider community, including parents.

Through his dedication, Ashebr is playing a key role in educating his community about trachoma. Thanks to students like him, the dream of a trachoma-free future in Ethiopia is becoming a reality.

None of this would be possible without your support—thank you!

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