Prevent a Child from Going Blind in Somalia

Overview

During Quarter 4 of 2025, Talobeeg Foundation remained actively engaged in resource mobilization efforts for the Prevent a Child from Going Blind in Somalia project. The Foundation participated in two fundraising campaigns hosted on the GlobalGiving platform with the aim of securing sufficient resources to continue planned eye-health screening, awareness, and referral activities in target schools.

Despite these efforts, the funds raised during this quarter were below the minimum threshold required to fully sustain or scale up implementation as originally planned. As a result, direct field activities for the project were limited during the reporting period.

Fundraising and Resource Mobilization Efforts

Talobeeg Foundation strategically focused Quarter 4 on visibility and outreach through GlobalGiving campaigns, seeking to expand the project’s donor base and sustain momentum for this critical child eye-health initiative. While the campaigns generated awareness and engagement, the financial outcome fell short of the level needed to independently support continued implementation during the quarter.

Recognizing this gap, the Foundation has proactively explored complementary funding options beyond online fundraising, including local contributions and community-based support mechanisms.

Adaptive Implementation Strategy

To ensure that project commitments to beneficiary children and schools are honored, Talobeeg Foundation has adopted an adaptive implementation approach. The Foundation plans to combine the outstanding targets from Quarter 3 and Quarter 4 of 2025 into a consolidated implementation phase.

This approach is supported by anticipated local donations expected in February 2026, which will enable the resumption and completion of key activities, including:

• Vision screening for school-aged children
• Referral of identified cases for further examination and treatment
• Awareness sessions for teachers, parents, and school management on child eye health and early detection

By consolidating targets, the project will maintain efficiency while maximizing impact once sufficient resources are secured.

Accountability and Reporting Commitments

Talobeeg Foundation remains fully committed to transparency and accountability. A comprehensive and fully fledged implementation report will be prepared and submitted following the completion of the combined Quarter 3 and Quarter 4 activities. This report will detail:

• Activities implemented
• Number of children screened and supported
• Outcomes and lessons learned
• Financial utilization and value for money

Way Forward

The Foundation appreciates the continued trust and support of GlobalGiving and its donor community. While Quarter 4 presented funding challenges, Talobeeg Foundation remains steadfast in its mission to prevent avoidable childhood blindness and is confident that the planned consolidated implementation will deliver meaningful and measurable results for children in the target schools.

This quarter, despite not receiving any funding, we remained proactive undertaking awareness campaigns and a school eye-screening initiative at NESDO Primary and Secondary School, reaching 650 students to promote eye health and key preventive messages.

We found out that the Childhood blindness stems from trauma, vitamin A deficiency, infections, cataracts, glaucoma, refractive errors, and harmful traditional treatments. Prevention requires addressing these root causes.

Key Awareness Topics

• Vitamin A deficiency and measles contribute to corneal scarring and bilateral blindness.
• Trauma from conflict is a leading cause of unilateral childhood blindness.
• Cataracts, glaucoma, refractive errors affect children, especially in underserved areas.

Through our awareness sessions, we educated students and staff about the dangers of harmful traditional practices, the importance of early detection of refractive errors, and the role of proper nutrition including Vitamin A to preserve eye health. These efforts align with best practices observed in similar Somali and African programs, where school screenings have proven effective in identifying children with vision issues, providing referrals or spectacles, and increasing general awareness of eye care needs.

However, had we secured funding this quarter, we could have significantly expanded our reach enabling us to conduct more comprehensive screenings (including spectacle provision), facilitate Vitamin A supplementation, engage in broader community education, and involve parents and teachers in sustained eye-health promotion. Financial support would also have empowered us to strengthen referral pathways and follow-up care further ensuring that children’s sight is protected not just at school, but within the wider community.

We effectively distributed informative brochures, reinforcing our key eye health messages and enhancing students’ understanding through tangible, take-home resources.