Our main focus is on education but we are very conscious that many
are prevented from studying because of poor eyesight. Very often this
can be treated so in 2002 we started an Eye Care project. Under the direction of Sudanese ophthalmologist Dr. Nabila Radi
Elias, who donates much of her services to Together for Sudan, this
project has become one of our showpieces for community cooperation. At
no charge to patients, at least 2,500 individuals are now examined each
year. Recently the Eye Care Project received an official award from the
Sudanese Humanitarian Affairs Commission for community service.
Since the project started in 2002 with a one off grant from Christian
Aid, a total of over 15,000 individuals have been examined and some 1,670
eye surgeries, mainly for cataract, have been carried out. Two years ago
we trained 25 health and hygiene workers and several of these trainees
now assist as volunteers during Eye Care outreaches. Most of the
outreach sites are in areas where there are no or limited medical services.
Our first outreach in the Nuba Mountains was held at Kadugli in 2006. Attendees at the field clinics are treated for conditions such as worms,
burns, wounds, dysentery and skin ailments. Glaucoma, trachoma, eye
tumours and eye injury or infection are common. The project has been
supported by Refugees International
Japan (RIJ) and Light for the World to whom we are most grateful.
RIJ also funded a week long Eye Care Outreach in Kadugli, the Nuba
Mountains, in 2006 . -our first outreach beyond Khartoum-,twice in 2008
and planned twice for 2009. One was done in April2009 and the second
will be in October. Together for Sudan Eye Care Outreach in Kadugli was
continued in 2007/2008- and 2009/2009 thanks to support from Light for
the World, an Austrian charity very active in Africa.
2010 sees Together for Sudan begin a new
partnership with Operation Mercy to help bring eye care aid to homeless
children in Khartoum.