Adult cataract operation
Mamie Kanenh, Sierra Leone, having her bandage removed after cataract surgery
£30
In the 1950s, Sightsavers’ groundbreaking research in West Africa identified the cause of river blindness and pioneered a disease control programme.
Together with our partners we continue to prevent river blindness in some West African countries.
We work in Benin, Cameroon, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, The Gambia and Togo.
Your gift will help to continue our work in West Africa and could help provide:
- Protection for villages in West Africa against river blindness
- Cataract surgery, restoring sight to people in some of the poorest areas
- Training and education for people who are visually impaired or blind, giving them an opportunity to lead independent lives
- Provide screening in schools and clinics
- Support the training of staff at all levels which are essential in the development of major eye care programmes
Country gift:
The gift you’ve been given can bring a brighter future to some of the poorest people in West Africa. Thank you.
See your gift in action
Today millions of families in Africa are at risk of river blindness – a disease spread by tiny black flies that breed in fast flowing rivers. The fly’s bite passes on parasitic worms that without treatment can invade the eyes and cause blindness.
Sisters Augustina and Janet John from Moro in Nigeria (pictured) understood the importance of taking their Mectizan® tablets as their mother is blind
Sightsavers is working to protect communities at risk by distributing the drug Mectizan® through our local partners training community volunteers. This enables people to stay by the fertile rivers they rely on for survival.