This project provides capacity building training for families of deaf children and gives support to people with visual impairments and those who are blind. It will provide Braille training and translation of materials into Braille for those who are blind.
From 2010 to 2012, the organization conducted eye health talk, free eye test for 200 persons with disabilities and donated 20 pairs of glasses with support from BENITA Eye Clinic to persons with disabilities and also reached other members of the public with IEC materials on eye care. During the 2012 World Sight Day, it provided welfare materials for students of the St. Joseph Center for the Blind and Visually Handicapped at Obudu, Cross River State and also made a TV presentation on the Cross River Broadcasting Corporation (CRBC) for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the State’s Eye Health Care Program with support from the American Corner Calabar. BENITA Eye clinic has offered free eye screening services for over 100 beneficiaries till date.
From July 2016 to December 2016, the organization trained 3 females and 3 males who are blind and 1 girl with low vision on basic computer appreciation and application.
Till date, the organization partners with BENITA EYE Clinic in raising awareness and provision of eye care services to persons with special needs.
Before the outbreak of the of the pandemic, the organization had an agreement with the Association of the Blind in Krygyztan for an exchange program offering wholistic rehabilitation training for the blind to enable us offer wholistic services for the blind and visually impaired. This activity has been placed on hold.
From August 2020 till date, the organization with support from Milestone Medical Outreach Incorporated U.S.A, has provided free eye screening for 20 persons, provided free eye surgery for 12 persons and donated 6 eye glasses for individuals who needed it most. Milestones also supported the distribution of food items to 50 persons including the blind, physically challenged and widows.
This project provides home -based care services for children with disabilities who are neglected by their parents. It provides nutritional support and linkages to medical services at no cost or subsidized rates for our beneficiaries.
As the flagship program of the organization, it advocates for the education of children with disabilities, it provides counseling services, educational support in terms of scholastic materials, mentoring on life skills/ reproductive health for in-school girls with disabilities and celebrates special events to promote inclusion and self-acceptance among the children. Since 2008, the organization has celebrated International Day of Persons with Disabilities which has now become a state event with support from Edward Maritime Services, HOPE Worldwide, BENITA EYE Clinic to create awareness and support for persons with special needs.
In 2009, the project advocated for the renovation of the Special Education Secondary School, Ibom Layout, Calabar by the Academy for Educational Development (A.E.D), U.S.A under their A.E.D/Exxon Mobil Schools of Excellence Project in Nigeria. From 2010 -2012, the project served 64 children with disabilities and 25 orphans and vulnerable children. The project ensured that children with disabilities were sent to and retained in school. It mentored 30 girls on life skills and HIV prevention in Calabar. In 2013, it mentored 60 girls with disabilities and 20 without disabilities on independent living, life-skills and reproductive health in Eket and Uyo local government areas of AkwaIbom State.
From June 2016 date, the project trained 1500 girls on vocational skills, and life skills in Calabar South, Akpabuyo, Odukpani and Calabar Municipal, local government areas of Cross River State.
The project also offer teaching services for children with learning disabilities to enable them transiting to main stream school. Started in September 2016 with 1 pupil, 2 have transitioned into main stream school while 1 who had finished S.S.C.Eatthe public school for children with special needs but could not write her name or read a sentence have re-registered for the WAEC exams, now able to read and generating in come for herself through the sales of Ankaracrafts-a skill she acquired during her stay with us.