School Eye Examinations Changes Lives. Tadewos' Story Shines a Light on the Importance of Vision Screening at School

[Image description: The photo on the left depicts a smiling Ethiopian man with thick eyeglasses. He is wearing a grey sweatshirt. The photo on the right depicts the same man with his teacher, a slightly older Ethiopian man. Both men are smiling and holding each other's back.]

August is Vision and Learning Month, bringing awareness to undiagnosed vision problems impacting learning. Tadewos’ story highlights how vitally important school vision screening is to all students.

Tadewos is an unconventional student at Gaecha Primary School- he is 30, married, and has one daughter. He couldn’t attend school as a young boy because he had significant vision problems. “This was my lifelong burden which I couldn’t shoulder any longer. I wanted to learn to read but wasn’t able to.” His vision problems affected him greatly, and he was often unable to participate in social events in the community.

[Image description: An Ethiopian man with a grey sports jacket, blue shirt, and thick eyeglasses is standing in a green field and focused on reading papers. that he is holding]

But now, Tadewos finally has the support to reach his goals. He had his eyes examined at his local school, was diagnosed with nearsightedness, and received a pair of prescription eyeglasses to correct his vision. Tawedos is now in the 8th grade and has a lot support cheering him on. “I didn’t give up and am learning to read and write with the support of my classmates, friends, and teachers.” He shared that one teacher has continued to encourage him to keep studying and “keep on track” to further his education.

Since 2021, over 5,000 students and teachers have received vision screenings, and hundreds of students and teachers have received eyeglasses. Over the next three years, we will continue implementing vision screenings across eight schools in the communities we serve. Students shouldn’t fail or drop out of school because they cannot access simple vision screening, diagnosis, and treatment.