Sightsavers - a valued partner of Irish Aid

For more than 20 years, Sightsavers Ireland has been instrumental in making education and health services accessible across Africa and Asia. Funded by Irish Aid, the Global Citizenship Education programme teaches schoolchildren about disability-inclusive development. Sightsavers Ireland runs educational workshops and events to raise awareness about the importance of eye health and disability inclusion, and their role in helping to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals

Sightsavers Ireland use virtual reality headsets, school resources such as lesson plans and their award-winning Put Us in the Picture website to engage with young people and children, encouraging interactive learning through creative activities such as games, music, dance, poetry and storytelling.

Senegal - Ndiambe's Story

In Senegal, their projects focus on inclusive education, teacher training funding and using adaptive technologies like braille boards. This work, supported by Irish public contributions and Irish Aid, ensures that every child has the chance to succeed.

Immersive VR footage promotes empathy

All around Ireland, Sightsavers have been showcasing their work through the story of one boy, Ndiambe. Aged 17 at the time of filming, Ndiambe lives in Senegal and has a visual impairment. The immersive VR footage is just four minutes long, and gives us a day in Ndiambe’s life, in his own words. The footage has been seen by over 10,000 Irish viewers since 2022, sparking empathy, understanding and solidarity.

Everyday challenges

The VR footage begins in the warmth of Ndiambe’s home, where he enjoys breakfast in his mother’s kitchen - an everyday scene that invites us into his world. Next, we join him on a ride in a motorbike taxi. The scene highlights the challenges of living with a visual impairment in a place where infrastructure isn’t fully accessible.

A school day

At school, we see Ndiambe skillfully using adaptive tools like a braille board. He's in his element at school, surrounded by his peers in a classroom designed to support every student. His teacher shares how inclusive training, supported by Sightsavers and Irish Aid, has reshaped attitudes over the years, making it possible for children like Ndiambe to learn and grow, side-by-side with his friends. Ndiambe’s teacher talks candidly about previously excluding children with disabilities due to a lack of knowledge and resources and about how to educate and include them.

VR headsets

VR headsets have been adjusted to be as inclusive as possible for participants. With built‑in speakers, adjustable volume, and subtitles, viewers can connect with Ndiambe’s story. This VR experience tells us a lot more than Ndiambe’s daily routine, it spotlights how inclusive education, along with efforts in citizenship, political participation, and eye health, is changing lives across multiple countries.

Brighter futures

Thanks to the dedication of Sightsavers Ireland, supported by Irish Aid and the Irish public, communities in Senegal, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, and Liberia are building brighter, more inclusive futures.