The Direct Aid Office in Rwanda, in collaboration with the Rwanda International Institute of Ophthalmology (RIIO), implemented a vision screening program for school students. The program was attended by the governor of Kigali, the director of UNICEF Rwanda, a representative from the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Education in the country. More than 10,000 students, both boys and girls, benefited from the program through vision examinations, distribution of treatment, eyeglasses, and surgical procedures for critical cases.
These examinations contribute to combating diseases such as cataracts and others that are prevalent in Africa, negatively impacting students’ academic achievement, disabling people’s ability to work as they age, and potentially leading to death if left untreated. Therefore, Direct Aid focuses on conducting annual vision screenings for students to detect issues early for easier treatment and to facilitate the educational process for students.
It’s worth mentioning that Direct Aid schools provide various health and educational services, including the distribution of textbooks, the construction of educational laboratories, providing healthy meals, and more. Additionally, they organize social activities such as educational competitions and recreational trips to help reduce dropout rates in education and alleviate the suffering of impoverished families.