Imagine the world around you in darkness. For millions of people this darkness is a reality. Blindness takes away so much more than vision. It can impede your ability to gain an education. It can prevent you from finding employment. It can lead you and your family into a life of poverty.

When blindness is prevented, it doesn't just improve the lives of individuals. It strengthens their communities. Men and women can return to work. Children go back to school. People can contribute to their community helping to build a better future for their families.

The Challenge

More than one million Ethiopians are blind, and close to three million have low vision. The country also has a high prevalence of trachoma — a highly contagious and completely preventable eye disease that can result in blindness after years of repeated infection. With these challenges, Ethiopia faces immense difficulties to meet the healthcare needs of its population, particularly in rural areas.

The Response

• Orbis Ireland are training both community representatives and health-care workers in all aspects of eye care, from awareness of services, identification, diagnosis, referral and treatment.

• They are addressing the enormous challenge of trachoma in Ethiopia by implementing the World Health Organization’s SAFE strategy (Surgery, Antibiotics, Face cleanliness and Environmental improvement).

• They are building awareness by teaching community health workers, teachers, local women’s group leaders and community leaders about eye health and hygiene.

• They are training nurses to diagnose trichiasis and perform corrective surgeries  at primary healthcare units in accessible rural locations - the surgery stops the disease in its tracks, alleviating pain and restoring sight.

So WHAT can WE DO??

Well, to get your attention and show my commitment to Orbis Ireland, I am doing the Sporting Proud Sprint Triathlon in County Wicklow on 6th September 2014 and also going out to Ethiopia in November 2014, for my sixth successive year, to complete the Great Ethiopian Run and visit the Orbis Ireland projects.

I am paying all travel costs and expenses out of my own pocket; so if YOU choose to sponsor me, ALL YOUR MONEY will go DIRECTLY to Orbis Ireland.

But WHERE will my MONEY GO? WHAT GOOD WILL IT DO??

You know the surgery to treat trichiasis and stop blindness in its tracks?

It costs just £5.

YOU could save someone’s sight!

:)

Thanks for reading all this!! 

Lots of love

Louise xx