Kenya Society For The Blind

Bringing Eye Care Services To the People: The Kenya Society for the Blind (KSB) is the leading agency in the prevention of blindness in Kenya. Every year KSB provide eye care services to more than 500,000 people, including over 30,000 sight saving operations. Other elements of our eye care programme include the production of low cost eye drugs, support in the training of ophthalmic workers, acquisition and distribution of ophthalmic instruments and materials to public eye clinics, the production and distribution of low cost spectacles within the Kenya Ophthalmic Programme and a Primary Eye Care Unit to educate Kenyans on avoidable blindness. Educating Blind and Visually Impaired Children: In partnership with the Ministry of Education, KSB is supporting the education of blind children under a programme that integrates children with visual impairment and sighted children in an ordinary school system where the same educational facilities are shared. Early childhood intervention programmes and in-service training to teachers are also supported, as well as the provision of education equipment like Braille machines and paper, cassette recorders, walking canes etc. Teaching People to live Independently: Since its inception in 1956, KSB has maintained its commitment to improving the living standards of visually impaired people in Kenya. KSB train and teach them to lead independent lives through independent living skills (ILS) training. In addition, The Society provides them business management & computer training, as well as job placement assistance. The Society runs a Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) Programme in partnership with the Ministry of Local Government in Kericho and Bomet districts. Fundraising, Image Building & Public Relations: Through this department, KSB strives to awaken public interest and support in the welfare of the visually impaired, and in all matters relating to blindness. The department pools funds from all corners of the globe to engage KSB in even bigger projects to reach even more visually impaired people. The department is also in contact with individuals and organisations that would also like to support in other ways other than financial support. This may be in training of KSB staff, field research, on the field help, extra hands help, counselling, follow up services and other related areas.