Our Impact
Why eyes?
Trachoma, if left untreated can lead to preventable blindness. It is known as a neglected tropical disease and is classified by the WHO as endemic in Fiji.
The active infection is common among children and increases with environmental burdens associated with poverty such as poor waste management, poor personal hygiene, proximity to animals and overcrowded households.
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The WHO recommended threshold for trachomatus inflammation-follicular (TF) is (TF<5%), in some years of Project HEAVEN screening the prevalence of TF has exceeded this threshold almost four fold.
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For more information read through the Fiji Trachoma Action Plan 2015-2020.
Why ears?
We learn to communicate through language, play and song. Hearing typically plays a key role in this process. Without clear hearing, learning can become very difficult for a child, and they may either miss some of their early years of education or be misdiagnosed with learning difficulties or behavioral challenges.
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Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is the most common impairment found in children screened through Project HEAVEN. More commonly known as a middle ear infection, CSOM has similar environmental factors that contribute to risk, and can reduce a child's attendance and performance at school.
For 27 years, this is how we transform lives...
200,000+
School age children screened
1,000+
Schools routinely visited
1,400+
Referral of cases each year
500+
School community members educated each year
A world of visionaries.
Through our programs we bring the power of enhanced vision and hearing to schools around Fiji. We teach children how to keep their eyes clean and ears free from obstruction. We help parents to prevent the causes of impairments. We support vulnerable community members to get access to vision and hearing aids.
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Read about the people whose lives have changed thanks to our generous partners and dedicated team.
