Breakthrough Moment: Students Overcome Blindness See Whiteboard And Teachers For The First Time In Years

Breakthrough Moment: Students Overcome Blindness See Whiteboard And Teachers For The First Time In Years

Several partially blind students expressed joy on Thursday after seeing their whiteboard and teachers more clearly for the first time in years. The students were among 115 children who benefitted from a free eye care outreach organized by the Women and Girls with Albinism Network in Abuja to mark the 2024 World Sight Day……..CONTINUE READING 

This initiative, held in collaboration with the Public Health Department of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), was sponsored by CBM Global Disability Inclusion.

Beneficiaries included students from Junior Secondary School, Gbazango, and Government Secondary School, Kubwa II, many of whom praised the organizers for the opportunity to see better and more clearly.

Rejoice Chinonso, a 12-year-old student with albinism, shared her relief. “Sometimes, I couldn’t even see the board or my teacher, but thanks to the Women and Girls with Albinism Network, I can see clearly now. I feel so happy,” she said. Chinonso added that this improvement would help her academic performance and thanked the NGO for supporting children with albinism.

Similarly, Abubakar Usman, a junior secondary school student from Gbazango, said his vision had been cloudy, but after receiving glasses, he could now see his friends more clearly. Zafanaya Gideon called the gesture a “game changer” and said the eye check and glasses would positively impact her life.

Other students like Musa Shuaibu and Rose Chukwuemeka echoed similar sentiments, highlighting how the glasses improved their ability to see small letters and people around them, significantly boosting their academic performance.

Constance Onyemaechi, founder and CEO of the NGO, recalled her own struggles growing up with albinism, describing it as “not easy.” She said the outreach was aimed at supporting children with vision challenges, particularly those with albinism, helping them better cope with school, social life, and self-esteem.

Dr. Garba Abdulrazaq, Programme Manager of the Eye Care Disease Programme at the Public Health Department of FCTA, said the event focused on children in line with the 2024 World Sight Day theme, “Love Your Eyes Kids.” He explained that free eye screening was provided to children, teachers, and parents, and free glasses and medications were given to those in need.

Abdulrazaq emphasized that the project promoted inclusiveness, ensuring students with disabilities, including those with albinism, were part of the program. He also highlighted the importance of educating children to reduce stigma for those who wear glasses.