A world without trachoma is waiting

Will you help us eliminate trachoma and end the agony?

With your support, we can end the pain of trachoma, ensuring everyone has the chance of a brighter future.

We’ve already helped to eliminate trachoma in Ghana, The Gambia, Malawi, Mali, Benin and Pakistan. Together, we can move closer to our goal of eliminating this blinding disease in 22 other countries, including in Zimbabwe.

You could help to power the work of Sightsavers’ partnerships with local and national governments, eye health teams and community volunteers – not just to treat, but to eliminate trachoma entirely.

Ending the agony...

When nurse and surgeon Mr Mkwebu first met Belita, she was in constant pain – and close to losing her sight.

Belita, an older woman, has her eyes checked for trachoma with a torch by Dr Mwbeku.

In Zimbabwe, 84-year-old Belita had been suffering with advanced trachoma, also known as trichiasis. It was causing her eyelashes to scrape against her eyes, making every blink agonising and potentially blinding.

When she started to lose her sight, she started to lose her independence and worried how it would impact her family.

Without surgery, Mr Mkwebu knew Belita’s remaining sight was at risk.

When she heard that she would have an operation, Belita was hopeful. She said: “I hope to have good sight again.”

After years of slowly losing hope for the future, the operation meant Belita was no longer in agonising pain and could regain some of her independence.

Now, Belita is not totally dependent on others. She can even walk to the toilet and do other things herself.

Mr Mkwebu, nurse and surgeon

...and beginning the future

As well as supporting people like Belita, your generosity can transform the future for children with painful trachoma, like Ariel.

Ariel, who had trachoma, stands outside with his friends at school.

Seven-year-old Ariel had untreated trachoma, which was a threat to his sight and his future opportunities.

Ariel’s mother Enitah had noticed a change in her son, when he would wake up with red, weeping eyes that left him struggling to do his schoolwork. Enitah worried that trachoma could have a devastating effect on his education.

Protecting whole communities from trachoma with preventative treatments is a vital part of our work to eliminate the disease for good.

Ariel’s hope for a brighter future began when he was given medication at a local drug administration event. After receiving treatment, Ariel is no longer in pain. He can now reach his full potential at school.

I look forward to having Ariel recover from his eye problems and pursue his education without interruptions.

Enitah, Ariel’s mother

With the help of Melody, a health worker in Zimbabwe, Ariel was able to receive trachoma medication during a mass drug administration event at his school.

In Zimbabwe, health worker Melody gives a boy a cup of liquid to drink during a mass drug administration campaign at his school. Other children stand behind him in the line, wearing school uniform.

Please send your gift for a brighter future today

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The impact of your gift today could help end the pain of trachoma for good.

Our continued team effort means millions of children like Ariel won’t be held back by devastating diseases.

Millions of parents could have a better chance of being able to work and support their families, and grandparents like Belita could be free of the terrible pain and worries trachoma brings.

When trachoma is eliminated, we will all be happy.

Enitah, Ariel’s mum

Enitah and her son Ariel sit outside, near their home in Zimbabwe. They're both smiling in the sunshine. The ground is sandy, with trees and bushes in the background.

We can help end the agony of trachoma with your support

A long line of people queue for eye health screening in a remote area of Cote d’Ivoire.

With screening

In the countries where we work, such as Côte d’Ivoire, volunteers run free community trachoma screenings, to reach large numbers of people.

A child in Yemen takes an oral treatment for trachoma at a treatment camp.

With treatment

More than 4,000 volunteers and partners visited villages in Yemen to deliver medication that treats trachoma and stops it spreading.

Surgeon Dr Benjamin Adina prepares equipment before a trachoma operation in a hospital in Uganda.

With surgery

Sightsavers’ local partners train government health workers in Uganda to perform surgery to treat advanced trachoma, which can lead to blindness.

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Our inspiring work in Zimbabwe shows what is possible, as we get closer and closer to elimination.

By 2027, we hope to have supported 15 more countries to eliminate the disease, eventually helping to banish it in all 22 countries where we’re working to reach this milestone.

Will you give a life-changing gift today to help end trachoma for good?

Images © Sightsavers/Jason J Mulikita, Sightsavers/KC Nwakalor, Sightsavers/Grabreez Production and Sightsavers/Bamba Kramoko.

Your gift today could help end the pain of trachoma