On October 10th Vision Ability Zimbabwe (VAZ) partnered with Redd Optical Laboratories, the Ministry of Health and Child Care, the Zimbabwe Albino Association, and the National Council of Disabled Persons of Zimbabwe (NCDPZ) to celebrate World Sight Day under the theme “Love Your Eyes, Kids” at UmaaInstitute in Msasa, Harare. This year’s theme focused on children’s eye health, and VAZ engaged with leaners to promote the importance of caring for their vision. The event aimed to raise awareness about eye health and disability inclusion, offering learners valuable knowledge on maintaining good vision and providing free eye screenings for learners and teachers. The program began with an informative session on eye health awareness and education. Participants learned about basic eye anatomy and received practical tips on how to care for their eyes. The session also included a presentation titled “10 Things to Keep an Eye On,” which highlighted key eye health concerns and preventive measures to maintain good vision.
Disability inclusion was another topic of the event, with insights shared on the importance of ensuring access to eye care services and support for individuals with disabilities. The message emphasized the need to create a more inclusive society, where everyone, regardless of ability, can participate fully and equally. Free eye screening was conducted by the team from Redd Optical Laboratories. A total of 91 individuals were screened, with 23 identified as needing further eye management. The screening underscored the critical role of regular eye check-ups in preventing or managing vision problems.
Here are some moments highlighting our World Sight Day celebration at Umaa Institute:
The students at Umaa Institute were highly engaged throughout the event, actively participating in discussions and absorbing the information presented. Their grasp of key concepts on eye health and disability inclusion was evident as they confidently answered questions during the sessions. Their enthusiasm and understanding demonstrated the effectiveness of the presentations, reinforcing the importance of educating young people about vision care. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our partners and participants for making this event a success. Vision Ability Zimbabwe remainscommitted to addressing avoidable blindness.