February • 2024
globalheroes.com The power of positive, solution-based journalism.
ADVERTORIAL
Local Solutions, Global Impact: Operation Eyesight In the rural community of Obrachire, in southern Ghana, community health nurses like Felicia wear many hats. With few health services in the area, her neighbours come to her for advice on a range of health issues. For Felicia, it’s more than a job; it’s a labour of love.
“I love to see people in good health. I am passionate about helping the sick to recover,” says the 37-year-old. Felicia watched her daughter struggle at school due to vision loss and wanted to help make eye health care available to others in Obrachire. After receiving
FELICIA, FROM GHANA, IS PART OF A GLOBAL TEAM OF COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS TRAINED BY OPERATION EYESIGHT TO BRING EYE HEALTH CARE TO OTHERS IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITY.© COURTESY OF OPERATION EYESIGHT
technology transfer and enhanced support for capacity-building actions in developing countries. ...We have also committed to Therefore, I see a clear role for global advocacy and leadership of global investments in education, the School Meals Coalition. We technology and innovation to will use any opportunity to advocontribute to global climate cate for donor and private sector commitments. At the same time, support for education, including for ECW. there is potentially a justification for climate finance mechanisms to ECW: Recent estimates indicate include investments in education. More broadly speaking, both that 62 million crisis-affected children have had their education mitigation of and adaptation to climate change require inputs disrupted by climate shocks since from education systems, ranging 2020. Education is recognized as from changing the consumption one of the best ways to help fight patterns to boosting innovations. climate change. How can global investments in education help us to Investments in early childhood realize the global climate commit- development, primary, secondary, non-formal, technical, vocational, ments of the Paris Agreement? higher and adult education all Tavio: Climate change education have different payback periods and different potential impacts on will help people understand climate change mitigation. and address the impacts of For me, investments in educaclimate change, empowering tion are important as such, and do them with the knowledge, skills not necessarily need to be justified and attitudes needed to act as agents of change. Climate by their impact on climate, howchange education, together ever important that might be. with training, public awareness, participation and access to ECW: Finland is prioritizing information, are to be enhanced the needs and rights of the most under the Paris Agreement vulnerable groups, and the global (Article 12). In my view, this is need for humanitarian support has closely linked with international never been greater. How can we cooperation on climate-safe continue to deliver quality inclusive CONT. PREVIOUS PAGE
training in primary eye care from Operation Eyesight, she now provides eye health screening, education and referrals for others in her community. Felicia says it’s helped take her nursing work to the next level. “I can now give my community members an in-depth education on eye health when I go for home visits,” she explains. “I find satisfaction in detecting eye problems in people and assisting them to get the treatment they need.” Felicia joined a global team of more than 2,000 community health workers—80 per cent of whom are women—who partner with Operation Eyesight in its mission to prevent blindness and restore sight. Travelling door to door, they bring eye health screenings, specialist referrals and health education to others in their communities. “By training people to provide eye care in their own community, we’re able to make eye health care available where it’s needed most, on a sustainable basis,” says Kashinath Bhoosnurmath, Operation Eyesight’s President and CEO. “It’s a model of care
that empowers entire communities to look after their own eye health.” With programs in 10 countries across sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, Operation Eyesight is focused on establishing vision centres and fostering partnerships with local hospitals. By partnering with local communities and donors, the organization has brought the Gift of Sight to millions of people over its 60-year history. Community health workers like Felicia are many people’s first point of contact with their health system, and they form a critical link in a chain that connects people with local vision centres and Operation Eyesight’s partner hospitals. “Our approach has been successfully replicated across communities and countries, again and again,” Bhoosnurmath adds. “The best part is that it’s women who are leading this work in their own communities.” More than 9,000 kilometres away, in Assam, India, community health workers are having similar success. On Majuli, a river island in the Brahmaputra
River, residents have to travel hours to visit a hospital, and local health services are limited. “Although more than 167,000 people live on the island, there was no doctor, no eye camp, nothing. Many people spend their whole lives without ever receiving vision care,” explains Tapobrat Bhuyan, Operation Eyesight’s project manager in the area. “But today, things are changing.” After community health workers conducted door-to-door eye health surveys, Operation Eyesight hosted several screening camps on the island, where patients received prescription eyeglasses and patients needing eye surgery could be transported to the organization’s partner hospital. “Seeing the look on someone’s face who has just regained their sight is something I will never forget,” Bhuyan says.
education while also addressing the diverse needs of crisis-affected children, including through school meals and mental health and social-emotional wellbeing? Tavio: Indeed, Finland prioritizes the rights of the most vulnerable groups in its development cooperation, including people with disabilities. We support structural changes and help to build systems that can deliver, for example, quality inclusive education. Having said that, building quality inclusive education is never easy, and often takes years or decades. In contrast, in humanitarian
assistance the focus is on tangible benefits for individual people, and as quickly as possible. Education in emergencies provides—in addition to education provision—physical and psychosocial protection, school meals and other support that is needed to sustain and save lives. The needs of crisisaffected children are diverse, and humanitarian aid is need-based. At the same time, the very reason why people are at the mercy of humanitarian assistance is often a combination of an external risk and factors related to inequality, be they related to gender, disability, or social status.
There is no simple formula for delivering quality inclusive education for crisis-affected children. Any appropriate solution depends on the context and resources available.
© UNICEF/BASHIR
© ECW/DANIEL BELOUMOU
Give the Gift of Sight and help transform the lives of individuals and entire communities. Visit operationeyesight.com to make a donation or learn more.
ECW: We know that ‘leaders are readers’ and that reading skills are key to every child's education. What are three books that have most influenced you personally and/or professionally, and why would you recommend them to others? Tavio: I think I have gained most important lessons from basic textbooks of philosophy, psychology and economics. However, I can mention three books that I found very interesting when I was a student: “How to Win Friends and Influence People,” by Dale Carnegie. This bestseller is a good reminder of the importance of decent behaviour and it teaches us win-win thinking. “Awareness,” by Anthony de Mello. I see this as a classic book on critical thinking in a way that promotes healthy self-forgiveness. “Rich Dad Poor Dad,” by Robert T. Kiyosaki. This book is a good read for students who wish to understand how capitalism works. ADVERTORIAL
Building the World’s Leading Environmental Workforce At ECO Canada, we act as the steward for the Canadian environmental workforce across all industries. From job creation and wage funding to training and labour market research, we champion the end-to-end career of all environmental professionals. We aim to promote and drive responsible, sustainable economic growth while ensuring that environmental best practices remain a priority. ECO CANADA’S ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATIONS:
RECOGNIZING EXCELLENCE AND INSPIRING LEADERSHIP
“Being an EPt has been wonderful for my career. I work with many people who have other designations (P.Bio, APEGA), and it’s very common to be designated where I live. There’s no reason someone shouldn’t be designated.” —Stephanie B., EPt since 2020
ECO Canada has been working towards advancing the careers of environmental professionals for over 30 years. In today's competitive job market, having a recognized designation can set About 3,000 of ECO Canada's you apart from other candidates. EP® are recognized across Canada
and internationally as a mark of excellence in the environmental sector. These individuals have demonstrated their commitment to continuous learning and professional development, specialized skills, and a constant work ethic in their respective fields. DESIGNATIONS THAT FOLLOW YOUR CAREER PATH
“My EPt designation, followed by the EP® designation, allowed me to join the environmental professional’s family in Canada for the last 10 years. My network was expanded by attending events, webinars, and the mentorship program.” —Zhongzhi C., EP since 2016 DESIGNATIONS THAT CARRY MULTIPLE BENEFITS
From young professionals to ex- • Validation of Skills and perienced environmental audiKnowledge: a valuable tors to committed organizations, tool when job searching our designations provide an endor looking for career to-end career validation of your advancement opportunities. skills and your commitment to • Professional Development: best practices. your commitment to ongoing learning. • Access to a Professional Network: As an EP®, access to a network of environmental professionals across Canada, including mentorship, networking, and career advancement. • Exclusive Events and Resources: privileged access to exclusive events and resources such as webinars, job postings, and career development tools.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONAL®
Certify Your Green Expertise Showcase your skills and knowledge as an officially recognized Environmental Professional® through ECO Canada.
A DESIGNATION THAT SHOWS YOUR ORGANIZATION’S COMMITMENT
Enjoy instant authority and recognition as a Canadian environmental leader with our EP® Employer designation, which helps companies recruit and retain environmental professionals, access industry-leading training programs and elevate their presence in the environmental sector.
Join ECO Canada’s community today and start your journey as an EP®: eco.ca/ep
