Avoidable Blindness Free Village Declaration
On February 22, 2026, six villages in Ayertena Kebele, Bahir Dar, Amhara Region, Ethiopia were officially declared Avoidable Blindness Free (ABF) a powerful testament to what strong partnerships, government leadership, and community commitment can achieve together.
This milestone marks the culmination of a four-year journey that began in April 2022 and reached its official declaration on February 22, 2026. Through a participatory and community-driven approach to eye health, a total of 3,065 households and 7,675 community members were screened across six villages: Giohon, Muziyem, Medeaniyalem, Lemlem Das, Zig Account, and Sefera. During the process, 36 Participatory Approach to Community Eye Health (PACEH) meetings were conducted to empower communities to identify, plan, implement, and sustain local eye health initiatives, while promoting prevention, early detection, and appropriate care-seeking behavior. A total of 1,660 corrective eyeglasses were provided, and 12 ABF committees (two per village) were established to strengthen local ownership and sustainability. In addition, 11 outreach screening campaigns were organized to expand prevention efforts and increase access to eye health services.
The celebration brought together federal and regional government representatives, Bahir Dar City Administration leaders in health and education, community members, village residents, eye health NGO partners, and our dedicated partners including Tibebe Ghion Specialized Hospital, Addis Alem Vision Center, and the remarkable Health Extension Workers and Community Health Workers whose tireless efforts made this achievement possible.
During the ceremony, the ABF validation reports and the full project journey were formally handed over to the Bahir Dar City Administration Health Department an important step toward sustainability and future scale-up.
A representative from the Ethiopian Ministry of Health expressed sincere appreciation to Partners in Education Ethiopia and Operation Eyesight Universal for introducing this initiative in Ethiopia, recognizing it as a strong example of partnership, government ownership, and community-driven progress toward sustainable eye health systems.
We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Operation Eyesight Kenya Coordination Office, whose guidance and commitment continue to help transform lives through better vision.
