Makoko Community Outreach
Reaching the Vulnerable With Eye Care
It was a quest to quash visual impairment in children in disadvantaged communities. The first of a planned series of school eye health outreaches to tend to the eye health needs of children in disadvantaged communities in difficult terrain marked by poor physical access to the location and poor finances for proper health care.
Undeterred by heavy rains, Team Restore donned raincoats and boots and forged forwards into Makoko riverine community for a 5day eye care outreach.
It wrapped up on 22nd May 2022 with hundreds of bottles of eyedrops dispensed for eye allergies and infections; glasses to restore sight to those with refractive errors (presented on Children’s Day) and planned free surgeries to restore sight and align eyes for those with cataracts and squints respectively.
Excellent visual health ensures optimal academic performance which translates to improved attainment in life. A plus to personal, community and national development.
Makoko’s a wrap! the next community beckons. We’re ready!
RFCS is restoring future potentials, one disadvantaged community after another.
Makoko
Makoko is an informal settlement situated across the 3rd Mainland Bridge located on the coast of Lagos mainland. It is a part of Lagos mainland local government area. About 34% of the community is built on stilts along the Lagos lagoon and the rest is on the land.
In 2012, the population was estimated to be about 85,840[1] but a decade after, it is now estimated to have a population somewhere in the region of 250,000[2].
According to historical sources, the settlement was formed over a century ago with fishermen from Benin republic and Togo being the main inhabitants.
References:
1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makoko
2 https://tinyurl.com/mr3zupu6 (Cnn.com)
The Story
How it Started.....
How it Concluded.....
The Outreach in Pictures...
Five (5) Days of School Eye Health
RFCS Team Arrival
The RFCS Team arrives and sets up for the School Eye Health outreach program at Makoko community in Lagos state.
Pre-Assessment
Students (Children) patiently waiting to be seen (Eyes Assessed)
Vision Testing
Students (Children) undergoing various vision tests.
Post Vision Testing
Students (Children) that were eligible for prescription medication based on the results of their vision tests received their medication.
Children's Day Events
The highlight of the day was the presentation of free eyeglasses to those with impaired vision.
