Since August 10, 2026, EFA Cameroon has been providing its staff and beneficiaries with corrective and UV-protective eyeglasses thanks to the support of RestoringVision. The initiative, which is scheduled to conclude this week, has seen active participation from the beneficiaries.
At EFA Cameroon, health also means protecting the eyes. Since August 10th, an eye health initiative has been underway at the organization’s headquarters to provide staff and beneficiaries with free eyeglasses tailored to their visual needs. This initiative is carried out with the support of the NGO RestoringVision, which specializes in providing access to corrective eyeglasses worldwide.
Launched in a context where visual impairments can significantly complicate daily activities, this initiative begins with consultations. After an eye exam, eligible individuals can receive free reading glasses or glasses designed to protect their eyes from ultraviolet rays.
For EFA Cameroon, the goal is to contribute to the well-being of its teams and the many people it supports through its programs. The activity, which began at headquarters on August 10th, will also continue in the field in the coming days to reach more beneficiaries.
In the Far North, the importance of such an initiative is also reflected in the environmental conditions that the population regularly faces. In many localities, dust is a daily occurrence. It is stirred up by travel, wind, construction work, and traffic on roads that are often poorly maintained. Adding to this dust is the particularly intense sunlight, which exposes the eyes to harsh glare every day.
This combination can make certain activities uncomfortable and exacerbate the discomfort for people already experiencing vision problems. Reading, working on documents, using a phone, driving, or performing certain professional tasks becomes more difficult when vision is blurred or when the eyes are constantly exposed to bright light.
“I didn’t think I could get a pair of glasses so easily. For some time now, I’ve had
difficulty reading certain documents and I also felt discomfort when the sun was very strong. The consultation allowed me to better understand the problem and the glasses will help me a lot,” testifies Tchouto, a beneficiary of the operation.
Beyond vision correction, the UV-protective glasses offered as part of this promotion are particularly beneficial in a region with significant sun exposure. They can help reduce discomfort caused by excessive brightness and improve visual comfort during travel or outdoor activities.
For Abdias, another beneficiary, the initiative addresses a need that is often neglected. « We generally think about the health of the body, but we sometimes forget about the eyes. With the dust and the sun, we are very exposed. Having a consultation and glasses for free is a real opportunity, » he explains.
This initiative is therefore part of a preventative approach. Poor vision can impact work performance, learning, mobility, and, more broadly, a person’s independence. Providing appropriate eyeglasses not only corrects certain vision problems but also improves comfort in daily activities.
For the beneficiaries, the operation also provides an opportunity to have their vision checked. Many people live with blurred vision without necessarily consulting a professional. Lack of information, the cost of consultations and glasses, or the trivialization of certain symptoms can delay seeking treatment.
EFA Cameroon and RestoringVision aim to bring eye health services closer to the populations concerned. Following its launch at the organization’s headquarters on August 10, the operation is expected to gradually expand in the coming days.
