CBM UK has announced the successful end to their three-year See the Way project, saying that that they had been capable of raise £845,000 in donations from supporters, pushing the ultimate total over £1.8 million after it was matched by the UK government, as a part of the UK Aid Match scheme.
The funds raised by the appeal contributed to their work stopping and treating avoidable blindness in Rwanda and saw a marked increase in the standard of life and medical care available to hundreds of Rwandans. When the project began, only 17.5 per cent of eye health consultations met quality standards, but comprehensive training, mentoring, and essential equipment that was provided through the project propelled that figure to a staggering 73 per cent.
CBM UK partnered with Kabgayi Eye Unit and the Catholic Diocese of Kabgayi to supply 35,608 individuals with essential eye health services that included screenings, treatments, and surgeries for various eye conditions.
Over the course of the three-year project, it also performed 2,487 cataract surgeries, enabling the blind to see again, and increased the accessibility of 4 hospitals through the addition of wheelchair ramps, tactile walkways, and accessible toilets.
Part of CBM’s work in Rwanda has been to equip the local population with the tools needed to make sure they’ll proceed developing the nation’s ability to supply its own eye health services at a high standard of quality by strengthening the capability and training of local healthcare staff and running education programmes to boost awareness of the critical importance of eye health and early intervention.
Liliane Ingabire, Ophthalmic Clinical Officer on the University Teaching Hospital of Butare in Rwanda, highlighted the impact: “We learned to be inclusive in our service provision. We now have staff trained in sign language and a specially designed tactile walkway resulting in the Ophthalmology Department. Facilities have been re-designed to satisfy these needs.”
Kirsty Smith, CBM UK Chief Executive, said, “The See the Way project has revolutionised the standard and accessibility of eye health services for among the poorest people across 4 rural districts in Rwanda.
“Not only was the fee of sight-saving treatment funded, but by improving local services, people not have to travel long distances for treatment, a journey often too costly for a lot of. Thank you to all our incredible supporters, partners and the UK government who made this project possible.”
For locals, the project has been life-changing, offering fresh hope to many who had been literally living in darkness.
“I can now recognise my wife, my children and my neighbours. I’m so blissful to be back here. I feel like I’m now in a latest world. I’m free to do anything,” said Cyprien, who had been living with cataracts for 3 years unaware that the condition might be treated, said on returning home where he embraced his wife.
“I can now recognise my wife, my children and my neighbours. I’m so blissful to be back here.”
