Catholic Relief Service, in collaboration with OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, and key government ministries, has provided 1,600 glasses for students and school administrators across 12 schools in West Coast, North Bank Region, and Kanifing Municipality.
Specific partners in the support endeavour funded by the European Union in The Gambia included the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Gender and Social Welfare, and Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education.
Carried out over the last two weeks, the support was done to enhance access to education and also increase enrollment and retention. According to the organisers, 3500 students and schools administrators were screened during the exercise.
Catholic Relief Service (CRS) country manager Dr Amulai Touray confirmed that the European Union “funded the Disability Inclusive Pathways Project, with support” from key ministries and partners like OneSight.
“They have screened 3,600 kids and handed out over 1,600 glasses in WCR, NBR, and Greater Banjul,” he affirmed, indicating that the collaboration is levelling the playing field for students with special needs and demonstrating the support strength of stakeholders binding together.
According to him, the project’s impact goes beyond the circle of students, school admins and caregivers, as community members are benefiting too.
CRS is proud to support the government’s Disability Act and promote inclusive development, he emphasised, saying: “Plans are underway to expand this initiative nationwide, reaching more vulnerable groups.”
Alagie Barra, director of Social Welfare at the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, said the programme “aligns with the ministry’s objective of promoting inclusive development” and ensuring that no child is left behind.
He explained that children with visual impairment are being supported to participate fully in the learning process and have equal access to education alongside their peers.
“Children are the future, and initiatives like this help unlock the potential that exists in this country,” he said, while calling for the programme to be expanded and institutionalised.
Muhammed Lamin Kinteh, operations coordinator of OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation in The Gambia, said the organisation has been working in the country since 2013 with the Ministry of Health through the National Eye Health Programme.
The foundation initially focused on adults but recently expanded its efforts to include school screenings for children, he highlighted, saying: “Refractive error is the second-leading cause of blindness globally. If children can see clearly, they can achieve more.”
Mary Bah of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education said CRS has been supporting government efforts through screening activities that help identify children with disabilities at an early stage and provide them with the necessary support to access quality education.
