Free eye screenings for schoolchildren in Kumasi

In the Ayigya community of Kumasi, iScreen4Kids has screened about 170+ schoolchildren and referred about 22 of them for further assessment. Gabriel Kwaku Agbeshie is its founder and executive director. The community-based initiative works to improve access to eye care for underserved school children in Kumasi, Ghana, through free vision screenings, eye health education, and referrals for children who require further eye care.

The project, he says, was inspired by his own experience growing up as a child with shortsightedness, "which affected my academics and self-confidence," and by the realization that many children struggle academically because of undetected eye problems that could, he says, be easily identified and treated through routine eye screening.

“As a leader, I believe servitude to your community and changing lives is the most impactful mark one can leave for a lifetime.”

Gabriel Kwaku Agbeshie

The work is still early, he says. The team has a committed group of volunteers and has established relationships with local schools and eye care professionals. "Our goal is to create a sustainable model that ensures underserved school children receive timely eye examinations regardless of their socioeconomic background," he says.

He cares about the work, he says, because "good vision is fundamental to education, confidence, and future opportunities."

"No child should be left behind in the classroom simply because they cannot see clearly," he says.