Context
In the Philippines, one in four indigenous people is visually impaired, and the rate of blindness in these communities is six times higher than in other populations. Often located in underserved areas, they are unable to access the eye care they need, which has a significant impact on their family life and well-being. Cataract-related blindness is 12 times more common among indigenous peoples, yet 94% of these cases are preventable or curable.
Supported project
In 2019-2020, L'OCCITANE Philippines and the L'OCCITANE Foundation are supporting The Fred Hollows Foundation. This project aims to provide preferential interventions for indigenous youth and children to close the gap in the often-vast eye health inequality between indigenous and non-indigenous Filipino people. Community and school eye health education for better eye health seeking behaviors shall be designed and delivered, focused referral and treatment with indigenous health workers developed, to improve eye health outcomes of the Indigenous youth and children.
This project is divided in three activities :
- Provide Eye health education in elementary and high schools with indigenous children so they recognize the need for eye care and know about the availability of eye health services.
- Coordinate eye care pathways to ensure access to eye care.
- Increased Indigenous Eye Health Workforce: training and support to IP Tribal Health Workers and Family Development Session Facilitators from the IP communities who will continue and sustain the care of indigenous children and youth.
Some figures
Budget 10,000 euros
Result 72,728 beneficiaries
Testimony
"I grew up in a community where having cataract and losing your eyesight at an older age is just normal. The sessions were an eye opener for me – and I felt the responsibility to challenge our traditional beliefs around eye health issues. It was hard to convince them that some of their beliefs around eye health are wrong.
From my grandfather’s successful operation for his cataract, I learned that I could save lives. I could prevent people from being miserable when their vision weakens. I was able to convince my people to attend my EHE sessions. The EHE workshops did not only change me, but it also changed my community in a good way.."
Mishelle Pedro Baslag, School Teacher, La Libertad,
