Prevent a Child from Going Blind in Somalia

Project Overview

The "Prevent a Child from Going Blind in Somalia" project, led by Talobeeg Foundation in the Galkaio district, aims to improve the eye health of young children living in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps and address the challenges of vision impairment across various schools. The project focuses on raising awareness, conducting screenings, and providing essential eye care services, with the goal of preventing avoidable blindness among children. Below are the achievements for Quarter 1 of 2025.

Quarter 1 Progress Achievements

1. Awareness Raising Campaign:

An awareness campaign was successfully launched at Hilimo Primary and Secondary School, located on the outskirts of Galkaio which brought together students from within the locality. This campaign targeted the problem of avoidable blindness and vision impairments among school children, aiming to increase community awareness of the importance of eye health, early detection, and the treatment of vision impairments. The campaign encouraged information sharing among local communities about the critical role of maintaining eye health.

1. Eye Screening Campaign:

The project conducted a comprehensive eye screening campaign to identify children suffering from vision impairments. Specialized equipment was used to screen students, ensuring that those who required medical intervention were identified and given appropriate care.

• Total Number of Students Screened: 530
• Students Identified with Visual Impairments: Approximately 89 (30%)

This significant finding underlines the pressing need for continued eye care services in the community and highlights the critical importance of early detection and treatment in preventing avoidable blindness.

1. Provision of Eye Care Services:

The project provided access to essential eye care services, including the distribution of pairs of spectacles to 10 children and vital medication. These interventions are essential in treating vision impairments and improving the quality of life for affected children.

care services and awareness-raising activities, this initiative will contribute significantly to improving the eye health and overall well-being of Somali children.

 Key Findings

The health screening revealed that an estimated 30% of students suffer from varying degrees of visual impairment. The most common conditions observed included:

• Myopia (Nearsightedness)
• Hyperopia (Farsightedness)
• Other refractive and non-refractive eye conditions

These visual challenges significantly impede students’ ability to perform academically, particularly in reading, writing, and active classroom engagement.

Recommendations and Call for Support

In light of the findings, we are appealing to individuals, organizations, and health sector stakeholders to support efforts aimed at improving eye health among students. Assistance is especially needed in the following areas:

• Provision of prescription eyeglasses for affected students
• Facilitation of professional eye examinations and treatments
• Supply of essential medications and equipment for vision care
• Deployment of mobile eye clinics or outreach health programs