Celebrating parents
On Global Day of Parents on 1 June 2020, we’re celebrating the loving contribution mothers, fathers and carers make on a daily basis to Sightsavers projects in Africa and Asia.
These nine parents describe how as volunteers, supportive partners, carers, teachers, entrepreneurs, patients or as unrelenting advocates for their children, they have made an impact on the success of our projects – from eye health to inclusive education and practical skills training for people with disabilities.
Zamurrad and Tariq
Read an update, one year on from the operation
Zamurrad's storyMaterson
A father himself, Materson volunteers as a pre-school teacher in Malawi. He often collects and drops of children with disabilities like Theresa, so they can attend pre-school.
“I was concerned that a lot of children weren’t going to school. I wanted to give them that foundation, so when they go to primary school they’ll perform better. Now, we have 148 children, 20 with a disability. Now every kid in the village who is disabled is attending the pre-school and we’re hoping that they will graduate to other schools.
Shamima
Find out more about Shamima’s family
Shamima’s story
Monica
Monica, who lives in Uganda with her children, used to find it difficult to communicate with her daughter Hellen who is deafblind. Through support, she is now able to use touch to help Hellen establish a routine and do tasks independently.
“To see her now, smiling as she joins in a game with her siblings, I see the difference. As a parent, to see your child happy, is as much as you can ask for.”
Mor and Aminata
Find out more about our work with schools
Inclusive primary schoolIsaac and Joy
Isaac was 20 when he lost his sight. He had to stop going to school and his future was limited. Back in 2015, we first met him at one of our inclusive programmes in Uganda, where he learnt to knit. He said: “After getting a knitting machine, I will work. I can earn money, I can even get a partner, I can care for my family.”
Now, he introduces us to his family: “This is my lovable wife, the beautiful one you see, and this is the baby whom God has given us. When people look at us, they don’t believe it!”
Downloadable colouring pages
We’ve repurposed some illustrations, originally developed to support teacher training in pre-schools in Malawi, into colouring pages. Help your children to colour in the sheets and learn that all children, regardless of disability or gender, should be able to attend school.
Download the drawings hereMore stories
From classroom to career: Lyne’s story
IT Bridge Academy graduate Lyne shares how she overcame barriers and disability discrimination to secure her dream job as a technical support engineer.
“Usually, men tell their wives not to go to hospital”
Cataracts stopped Caliha from working as a farmer, and without her family’s support, she struggled to access treatment. Caliha was able to have an operation and is now earning a living again.
“Now my sight has improved, I hope to earn more”
Maria was able to return to work as a basket weaver and support her family after receiving treatment for advanced trachoma.
