Gift of Sight

Fewer than ten per cent of children who are blind or have low vision receive any kind of formal schooling. This fuels a cycle of illiteracy and poverty, leaving people who are blind as one of the most vulnerable and excluded groups in the world.

Sightsavers works with partners in some of the poorest countries in the developing world to provide inclusive education. This is where children who are blind or visually impaired are included in mainstream schooling. In order for inclusive education to succeed, teachers need to be given training and support to teach every child and help them reach their potential.

Rowan from Belize is functionally blind. He enjoys being in a mainstream school with sighted children and it's clear that the children around him get just as much out of him being in the class as he does.

This gift can provide a child with a brighter future by providing a year's inclusive education.

See your gift in action

Sikitu Fundikira is an itinerant teacher at Makalala primary school in Tanzania; an integrated primary school which receives funding from Sightsavers. Here, pupils who have sight problems learn alongside sighted pupils. Part of Sikitu's job entails visiting outlying villages to try to find children who are low-vision or blind and not in school.Once at Makalala Primary School, children who are blind or partially sighted spend the first two years learning separately from the sighted children. They all board together and learn basic life skills - how to keep a home clean, how to wash clothes and cook. They are also taught to read and write Braille and use low vision aids. In year three the education is fully integrated and children who are blind study for their exams alongside their friends.Frances (pictured with Sikitu) is a 13-year-old boy who has blossomed since moving to the school. He is happy in his classes and has gained a great deal of confidence since learning so many new skills. This type of inclusive schooling will give Frances the best possible opportunity to provide for himself when he leaves school.

It's a sad fact that many disabled children in the poorest countries of the world are missing out on an education.

Globally, there are still 80 million children out of school, a third of whom are disabled. This gift could help another child by providing a year's inclusive education.