Light for the World

Godfrey used to think his pupils were copying from classmates to cheat. The real reason? They could not see the chalkboard.

Today, thanks to our "1,2,3 I Can See!" programme, teachers like Godfrey in Uganda, Teresa in Mozambique and Desalegn in Ethiopia know exactly what to do when a child is struggling to see. They spot the signs early, screen their pupils and connect them with the glasses and care they need to stay in school and thrive.

As Teresa puts it: "We work for love."

Meet the teachers helping children see, learn and dream bigger: https://www.light-for-the-world.org/news/teachers-eye-screening-in-schools/

Some heroes wear white coats. Others stand at a blackboard*. 👓

This World Sight Day, we're celebrating the people who help children see clearly: the teachers, technicians and health workers behind 1,2,3… I can see!

More soon.

* And some do both 😉

In Kenya, e-waste is usually talked about as a problem. But there's another side: taka ni mali, waste is wealth.

Entrepreneurs across Kenya are repairing devices and building businesses from electronics that would otherwise be thrown away. At the recent PowerUp programme Roundtable, co-convened by Light for the World Kenya and Bopinc , they shared what it takes to make these businesses last — and showed how environmental action and economic growth can go hand in hand.

There's more to the story, alongside inclusive education in Ethiopia and a new violence prevention manual in Mozambique.

Read this month's News Wrap: https://www.light-for-the-world.org/news/august-news-wrap-inclusive-e-waste-sector-kenya/

UNICEF United Disabled Persons of Kenya -UDPK

This World Humanitarian Day, we're asking a simple question: when disaster strikes, who gets left behind?

Too often, it's people with disabilities who are excluded from evacuation plans, shelters and information when they need them most. It doesn't have to be this way.

From Burkina Faso to South Sudan and Mozambique, our work with partners and Organisations of Persons with Disabilities shows that inclusive humanitarian action is possible. Here are five practical steps any organisation can take.

Read more: https://www.light-for-the-world.org/news/disability-inclusive-humanitarian-action-5-practical-steps-for-ngos/

One stitch at a time, Juster Kathure Michubu built a thriving tailoring business from scratch.

She is one of 2,467 entrepreneurs and caregivers who took part in the InBusiness programme in Kenya, where participants reported an average 35% increase in income. Today she mentors others, because as she puts it, "disability is not inability".

Her story is one of four in our July news wrap, alongside inclusive sport in Uganda, trachoma progress in Ethiopia and advocacy in Burkina Faso.

Read it here: https://www.light-for-the-world.org/news/july-news-wrap-entrepreneurs-with-disabilities-kenya/

2.6 million people protected from trachoma-related blindness in Ethiopia. 💊
Accessible exams for students with visual impairments in Burkina Faso. 📖
Cataract surgery changing life for two children in Mozambique. 👀
And a call for more inclusive workplaces in Kenya. ♿

That's our June, in brief. Read the full wrap: https://www.light-for-the-world.org/news/june-news-wrap-trachoma-elimination-ethiopia/

June News Wrap: 2.6 million people protected from blinding trachoma in Ethiopia - Light for the World International June news wrap: 2.6 million protected from trachoma in Ethiopia A Mass Drug Administration in Ethiopia's Tigray region protects 2.6 million people from blinding trachoma. Plus inclusive exams in Burkina Faso and more.

From restored sight in Uganda to inclusive classrooms in South Sudan, May was a month of progress for eye health and disability inclusion.

In Uganda, more than 70 people (most of them children) regained their sight through free eye surgeries at Hoima Referral Hospital. Led by senior ophthalmologist Dr Grace Ssali, the team treated cataracts, glaucoma and other conditions through our Child Eye Health programme "1, 2, 3 I can see!".

In Ethiopia, Light for the World launched its Strategy 2026–2030 for eye health, disability rights and inclusive development, bringing together government, donors and Organisations of Persons with Disabilities in Addis Ababa.

In South Sudan, a third cohort of student teachers sat their first-year exams after training in sign language and braille at Rombur National Teachers Training Institute — building inclusive education for learners who are blind, partially sighted, deaf or hard of hearing. Delivered as technical partner on a project funded and led by Education Cannot Wait​ (ECW)​ and Save the Children International​.

In Uganda, the Talent Without Limit career fair in Kampala connected 400 jobseekers with disabilities to 27 employers, spotlighting the We Can Work programme's campaign on inclusive employment.

Read the full news wrap: https://www.light-for-the-world.org/news/child-eye-health-outreach-restores-sight/

May News Wrap: Uganda child eye health outreach restores sight for over 70 people - Light for the World International Light for the World Uganda's child eye health outreach restores sight for over 70 people. Plus Ethiopia's new strategy, South Sudan teachers and Kampala jobs.

A new employment programme. A national newspaper feature. A graduation ceremony. An award-winning project extended.
April was a busy month at Light for the World.

In Kenya, more than 100 young people with and without disabilities have joined the RISE programme, building skills and pathways into employment alongside Sightsavers and the Standard Chartered Foundation.

In Ethiopia, 78 young people celebrated graduating from the programme, with new skills, technical training and entrepreneurship plans in hand.

In Burkina Faso, the award-winning IMPACT-BF inclusive humanitarian programme has been extended to late 2027, reaching four more municipalities.

And in South Sudan, The Telegraph featured the Bright Stars, the national blind football team aiming for the Paralympic Games.

Read the April news wrap:

April News Wrap: Young people join RISE employment programme in Kenya - Light for the World International More than 100 young people have joined the RISE programme in Kenya, building skills and pathways into inclusive employment. Plus updates from Burkina Faso, Ethiopia and South Sudan.