An organization with vision

Riding the Wave of Change: 2010 and Beyond

2

St. Lucia Blind Welfare Association

(SLBWA) is responsible for the execution of

“Delivering Vision 2020 in the Caribbean

Project” for St.Lucia. The project is being

implemented under the stewardship of the

Caribbean Council for the Blind (CCB) in

collaboration with Sightsavers

International (SSI). It is funded by the

European Union (EU) and implemented by

European Commission (EC) through its

“Non State Actors Programme” from

January 2010, [the year in review] ending

December 2014.

Preparation: During the Biennial General

Meeting of CCB, SSI announced its

intention to stop direct financial support to

the Caribbean commencing 2015. To

minimize the impact of that decision, SSI

and CCB successfully negotiated a financial

agreement with the EU to implement the

V2020 Project. It is specially designed to

accomplish the following: (A) significantly

strengthen Caribbean capacity to “prevent

blindness and vision impairment”; (B)

sustain services and providing

“opportunities for persons whose sight

cannot be restored”.

Challenges: SLBWA and other beneficiary

agencies, were seriously challenged not only

to ensure readiness for implementation, but

equally imperative, meeting the stringent

requirements of the EC. Fortunately, the

project found SLBWA with a tremendous

service delivery record, armed with

transparent and accountable operating

systems. Moreover, SLBWA’s Executive

Council and staff, committed to enhancing

the Association’s Institutional capacity and

professionalism. This would enable SLBWA

to respond more effectively to the varied

needs of its clientele, and increasing

sophistication required by its external

environment.

Restructuring/Opportunities: SLBWA

accelerated the process of change to

accommodate the project’s first year of

implementation. To this end, it was

necessary to enforce the following actions:

reallocation of office space

employ new staff and re-assigned

responsibilities of several existing

staff members

required of staff a higher level of

accountability.

For a while during the reviewing period,

some staff members seemed to be aggrieved

by the reform, and exhibited a few negative

behaviors. However, the situation was

stabilized through the intervention of

SLBWA’s Executive Council.

Results: In spite of many challenges, year 1

of the V2020 Project, was highly successful.

The Association utilized the project’s main

pillars [disease control, development of

institutional capacity, infrastructure and

human resource] to ameliorate the

following: Refractive Error Corrections,

Cataract, Glaucoma, Diabetic Retinopathy,

Childhood blindness and Low vision.

This report encapsulates these and other

main achievements of SLBWA for 2010.

Mr. Anthony Avril OBE Executive Director

3

I would like to take this opportunity to

extend very warm greetings to the general

membership of the SLBWA, our partners

and friends, and the wider St Lucian

community as you all continue to nurture,

sustain and encourage the work and

activities of the Association especially in

this troubled global economic times.

I am proud to be a part of this viable and

dynamic Association and accepted

responsibility of Acting President with the

knowledge that the sound foundation built

over many years by persons and

institutions whose collaboration with the

Association has led to our current juncture

and achievements. In less than fifty years,

SLBWA, through perseverance and

relentless efforts of its membership in

partnership with men and women of

goodwill, has engineered a paradigm shift

in the perceptions, attitudes and thinking

of the society towards blindness, vision

impairment and disabilities in general.

Fighting against great odds and with

limited resources, the Association has

become the vehicle, through cooperation

with individuals and organizations, for the

establishment of programmes and

interventions designed to include and

allow blind and visually impaired persons

become productive members of the St

Lucian community. Let me take this

opportunity to highlight some of the major

and seminal achievements of the

Association.

1. In collaboration with the Ministry of

Education, children with blindness and

low vision, are now fully integrated at

all levels of the regular school system

and resonates the UN charter which

protects the right of all children to

have access to education. The success

of this programme served as an

impetus for the establishment of a

support programme for students with

special needs.

2. Through our relationship with sister

organizations, St. Lucia has two

national organizations serving persons

with disabilities and older persons

making sure that these sectors of our

society are included and are able to

enjoy life to the fullest while making

their invaluable contributions to the

development of the wider community.

3. Working in partnership with the

Ministry of Health, CCB, SSI, PAHO,

Lions Clubs and other partners

ensured the establishment of an

effective, efficient and credible

National Vision 2020 Programme

committed to elimination of avoidable

blindness.

4. Through the persistent advocacy for

blindness and eye health agenda, the

Association has been successful in its

4

quest to have the Ministry of Health

declare eye health as one of twelve

national health priorities.

5. The establishment of Eye Care St.

Lucia (ECSL) has enabled the

Association to enter the market in the

provision of affordable quality

ophthalmic services to everyone in St.

Lucia. As we continue to explore and

develop this business as an efficient

and successful income generator for the

Association, we know that we have the

support of the general public who will

always remember the Association as

tireless advocate of the interest and

acceptance of blind and visually

impaired persons as members of the

wider community. The financial

success of ECSL will certainly improve

the Association’s ability to continue to

advocate and provide resource, both

tangible and intangible, to the

community that we serve.

6. The ongoing Kids Insight Programme

of SLBWA and Lions Clubs of St. Lucia

provides pediatric ophthalmic services

in partnership with Victoria Hospital

through the auspices of the Ministry of

Health, have given hundreds of

children access to specialized

interventions designed to improve their

sight. Moreover, the yearly visit of the

volunteers for the Programme has

helped us raise the awareness of vision

impairment and blindness in this most

vulnerable age group.

7. Through our focused intervention and

programmes, blind and visually

impaired St. Lucians are being trained

to use computers which allow them to

be part of this wonderful technology

with its ability to transform lives of

individuals and the wider community.

8. The establishment of Blind Cricket has

provided the opportunity for St.

Lucians to represent the West Indies in

international competitions and support

the ideals of the Association regarding

inclusiveness of persons with blindness

and visual impairment in all facets of

our community.

9. SLBWA continues to play a pivotal role

in the establishment and ensuring the

sustainability of the national

programme for children with multiple

disabilities as part of our focus in

making the society inclusive, tolerant

and accepting of all God’s children

regardless of their impairments.

Brothers and sisters, these successes do

not signify the end of the road, we have

not arrived, the journey continues.

However, they give us reasons to have

faith in the continuing dream of an

inclusive society meeting the varied

employment and other needs of all

regardless of gender, age, visual status

and different abilities. And may we always

remember, "The thing always happens

that you really believe in;and the belief in

thing makes it happen” (Frank Lloyd

Wright).

Today, we are enjoying the fruits from the

sacrifices made by people of earlier

5

generations. One name springs to mind

but unknown to most Caribbean people, is

Mr. James Alves of Guyana. He travelled

by sailboat through the Caribbean,

advocating for services for blind people.

His courageous effort, gave rise to the

establishment of the first formal

programme inaugurated in Trinidad, in

1913. Since then, we have made

tremendous progress in our ongoing

efforts for the provision of services and

programmes for the upliftment and

inclusion of blind and visually impaired

persons in all facets of our lives as

community. I appeal for your continued

support and pro active involvement, to

complete the work started by this great

West Indian pioneer and many more who

have made their invaluable contribution.

We need more men and women to join us

at SLBWA in this worthwhile and

deserving crusade. Let us keep the faith

and through intelligent and dedicated

hard work we will achieve remembering

that "Men succeed when they realize that

their failures are the preparation for their

victories" (Ralph Waldo Emerson).

We will succeed and complete the journey

and in the process make our St Lucian

compassionate, caring and

progressive."Kites rise highest against the

wind – not with it” (Winston Churchill).

I thank you for having given me the

opportunity to serve as part of the

SLBWA’s executive council for the year

closing 2010.

Dr. Horatius Jeffers Interim President

6

SLBWA 7

Eye Health 8

Vision 2020 9

Eye Care St. Lucia (ECSL) 10

Adjustment to Blindness 11

Inclusive Education 11

Multi Sensory Impairment 13

Administration, Finance and 14

Project Development

Budget/Financial 16

Projects

Kids Insight 17

St. Lucia Glaucoma Selective 19

Laser Trabeculoplasty Research Study

Space Camp 19

Blindness Awareness Month 2010 19

CCB/EC Project 20

Conclusion 21

Staff Members 22

Board of Directors 23

Major Contributors and Donors 23

Annex 1 25

7

The goal of SLBWA is eye health for all

Saint Lucians and equal opportunity for

those who are visually impaired.

The success of the eye health services is

seen by the increasing number of users,

but more importantly through the

satisfaction and quality of life of its

beneficiaries.

Areas of Focus

- Sensitization and Education

- Early Detection and Treatment

- Rehabilitation and Social

Integration

- Project and Resource Mobilization

Programmes

- Inclusive Education

- Eye Health/Eye Care St. Lucia

- Rehabilitation/Adjustment to

Blindness

- Project Development and Resource

Mobilisation

- Multi Sensory Impairment

Eye Health Priorities

- Cataract

- Glaucoma

- Refraction Error

- Low Vision

- Childhood Blindness

8 Eye Health Eye Health Officer/Regional Focal Person

for Low Vision: Mrs.Denise Godin

The Eye Health Programme of SLBWA

continues to work with eye health in a

holistic manner, addressing the full

spectrum of vision from perfect eyesight to

total blindness.

The Eye Health Programme continues to

strengthen its services to address the

national eye health needs of St. Lucia and

Vision 2020 through:

-eye health promotion

-in-house vision assessments

-low vision assessments

-nurses vision assessment training

-teacher eye-screening training

-Kids Insight Project (visit 8)

-sensitization and awareness

-school eye-screening

Eye Health Data

SLBWA is the centre for information and

data collection regarding eye health in St.

Lucia. Data is collected from public eye

care delivery centres, including public

hospitals, community health centres, and

SLBWA, and other available sources.

The Ministry of Health (through the

Nursing Office) provides the data for

school eye-screening and Cuban data to

SLBWA

.

School Eye Screening

In 2008, the community Health nurses

committed to include school eye screening

for kindergarten students and students in

Grade 6 as part of their work programme.

2008 2009 2010

In-House Assessments 228 408 478

Schools (Sept-July) 61 57 31

Students (Sept -July ) 4515 4495 1965

MDT students 152 82

Centres/Communities 0 0 0

HC clients 0 0 0

TOTAL 4743 2443

CLINIC SETTINGS

Eye Care St.Lucia 1344 2907 2108

Victoria Hospital 1636 1625 44

St.JudesHospital 1567 756 954

VOSH 0 0 0

Kids Insight exams 179 160

Cuban Mission 130 13110 4414

TOTAL 9420 18985 9207

2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010

Schools Screened

50 61 31

Students Screened

3236 4515 1965

Students Referred

71 = 2.35% 276 = 6.1% 75

MDT 82

9 Vision 2020 Coordinator: Mrs. Emma Bernard-Joseph

The year in review was significant for the

Vision 2020 initiative in St Lucia. It began

with the official launch of EU funded

project Delivering V2020 in the Caribbean

spearheaded by CCB in Georgetown,

Guyana. In St. Lucia, the regular

quarterly meetings of the National Vision

2020 Committee were held with good

participation from partners such as the

Lions Clubs, Ministry of Health and St.

Lucia Diabetic and Hypertensive

Association. In on one of these meetings

CCB officers headed by Executive Director

Arvel Grant presented the EU funded

project to committee members.

The V2020 Coordinator spearheaded

activities for the observance of World

Glaucoma Day. Activities included radio

talks, newspaper articles, participation in

two health fairs, address to patients at a

health centre and the sensitization of staff

of the St. Lucia Electricity Services Ltd.

The main activity was a Walk for

Glaucoma Awareness held on the 13th of

March. There were 60 participants and

addresses were made by the V2020

Coordinator, Mr. A. Avril, Executive

Director of SLBWA and a testimony by

Mr. Keith Charlery, the Acting President

of the Saint Lucia Glaucoma Association,

who lives with glaucoma. A DVD of the

walk was sent to the President of the

Caribbean Glaucoma Association in

Antigua, which was included in the video

presentation at the World Sight Day

conference in Trinidad in October.

On 14th of October , World Sight Day

coincided with World Standards Day.

SLBWA along with volunteers

participated in an exhibition of adaptive

technology for persons with visual

impairments organized by the St. Lucia

Bureau of Standards.

10 Eye Care St. Lucia (ECSL) Manager: Mrs. Emma Bernard-Joseph

SLBWA and the management of ECSL

continued to make sure that partons

receive excellent customer service and

affordable and quality products/services.

The increasing number of patients

accessing the services of ECSL is apparent

for the year in review.

One of the more significant changes

resulted from the renovation and

reassignment of office spaces in SLBWA.

The bigger reception area for ECSL

allowed for a more effective and efficient

service. The designation of separate

ophthalmology and optometry rooms

allowed for uninterrupted delivery of

service from resident optometrist and

visiting ophthalmologists.

During the year in review ECSL was

supported by the following

ophthalmologists: Dr. Suresh Puthalath,

Dr. Jaime Miller, Dr. Judy Charleton and

Dr. Tony Realini.

During the year 2108 patients were seen

and 1308 spectacles sold. Dr. Puthalath

performed 17 surgeries during his visit.

Patients61%

Spectacles

38%

Surgeries1%

2010 ECSL Summary

11 Adjustment to Blindness Technical Adjustment to Blindness

Officer: Mrs. Winnie Weekes

The year began with much focus on

identifying clients immediate needs in an

effort to elevate their standard of living. A

great degree of emphasis was placed on

sensitization to blindness and visual

impairment through presentations and

workshops for caregivers and persons in

the working environment. The

rehabilitation department continued to

see an increase in counseling and

employment needs especially among the

youth. Housing was still a major issue

and there is a dire need to access help

through funding agencies to assist clients.

Statistics 2010

Rehabilitated Clients (Closed

Cases)

Male 19

Female 11

Age 20-40 41-55 56-70 71+

Male 7 0 8 9

Female 1 2 2 8

Total number of rehabilitated clients: 30

A one day workshop was held to give a

general overview of the use of tools and

accessories that would enhance the

mobility and daily living skills of 25 blind

and visually impaired participants.

Inclusive Education

Coordinator: Mrs. Theresa Julien

“The first step to achieving an Inclusive Education

System is to understand the philosophy behind it.

“Inclusion” is a more profound concept than

“Integration”. It fundamentally challenges the

traditional approach to regard disability and disabled

people as an “afterthought”, instead stating that

disability is part of the common experience of

humanity and should be a central issue in the

planning of any human services.” (The Integration

Alliance 1992) The Inclusive Education System A

National Policy for Fully Integrated Education

SLBWA continues to promote inclusion of

students with vision impairment and

persons with disabilities in general by

working with the Ministry of Education

through the Special Education Unit,

schools, institutions and other

stakeholders to ensure access to quality

education and therapeutic services by

students in the least restrictive

environment.

Itinerant Programme Castries (SLBWA)

The programme served 6 students in 4

secondary schools and 5 students in 3

primary schools in Castries and its

environs.

12

Angel Williams, a Grade 6 low vision

student of Vide Boutielle Primary School,

wrote the Secondary Schools Entrance

Examinations June 2010 and succeeded

for the Vide Boutielle Secondary School.

Jazzy Smith, a low vision student of

Babonneau Secondary School, wrote 7

subjects in the May-June2010 CSEC and

obtained passes in all subjects. He has

been accepted to the Division of Arts,

Science and General Studies of the Sir

Arthur Lewis Community College.

3 students with learning difficulties will

be sitting CSEC in May-June 2011.

Marquese Brandise, a low vision student

with learning difficulties of St. Aloysius

RC Boys Infant School has been assigned

to Lady Gordon Opportunity Centre

through MDT referral.

Special Education Centre Vieux Fort

The year was challenging for the Vieux

Fort programme with 2 teachers serving

20 students across 7 primary schools and

4 secondary schools. The spread of

students in the primary schools ranging

from kindergarten to Grade 6. A teacher

served 8 students in 4 schools.

3 students wrote the secondary schools

entrance examination in June 2010. 2

students succeeded for Piaye Secondary

School and 1 is unassigned. It must be

noted that the overall performance of the

students in the programme was

creditable.

A major setback to this programme is that

the two teachers will no longer be with the

programme for the commencement of the

new school year. Mr. Justin has gone to

another school on transfer and Mrs.

Darcheville is on study leave for the next 3

years. It will require induction and

training to replace the staff for the new

school year.

Special Education Centre Vieux Fort

The Soufriere itinerant programme had a

number of setbacks. A major setback is

the placement of new teachers in the

programme for the second consecutive

year which meant induction and training.

This situation does not move the

programme forward in meeting the

students’ needs as the teachers have little

to no experience in teaching children with

special needs.

Nathaniel Victor, a student who is totally

blind is now in Grade 6 and will be writing

the Secondary School Entrance

Examinations in June 2011.

13

Multi Sensory Impairment

Coordinator: Mrs. Martha Jeffers

This programme moved back to its

original home (SLBWA) in 2010. Upon the

retirement of Mrs. Lucy Popo, a new staff

member, Mr. Lindon George, was

welcomed into the programme. The

programme in Castries saw 12 students (8

centre based while 4 were seen at home).

The programme at the Dennery Centre

had a successful year too. Mrs. Eustacia

Felicien replaced Mrs. Maria Plante as

technical resource person for the centre

from September 2010. For most of the

year, the centre saw 22 students (which

decreased to 14 from September) and

increased operating days from 2 days a

week to 5 days a week. The volunteer

physiotherapist and occupational

therapists continued their weekly visits to

the Centre until the end of July 2010. The

Ministry of Health provided the bus

service twice weekly to transport students

to and from the Centre. The Centre also

benefitted from the services of the Kids

Insight occupational therapist, Lenny

Fink of West Virginia who worked and

shared ideas with the Japanese

therapists. Parents and staff members of

the centre were successful in the 2

fundraising activities held to assist in the

renovation costs of the centre.

Mrs. Celina Lesporis provided educational

and therapeutic services to 12 students at

the Special Education and Rehabilitation

Centre in Soufriere.

14 Administration, Finance and Project Development

Administration, Finance and Project

Development Manager:

Mrs. Debora Pamphile-McLean

New Staff

Mrs. Carmina Espeleta-Burton was

contracted in the post of Finance and

Administrative Assistant from August 1st

2010.

Support to clients

SLBWA continued to support clients

during the year

Home building: The family of blind

and visually impaired twin boys

received assistance in building their

home.

Continuing Education: Three

clients of SLBWA received

assistance for their education.

Social welfare & Assistance: There

were several clients who were

assisted to meet social welfare

needs, three of whom receive

monthly allowances.

Medical assistance: Several clients

received various medical assistance.

Institutional Strengthening/capacity

building:

Mrs. Shermie Darcheville was a recipient

of a partial scholarship from the SLBWA

to read for a BSc. in Special Education,

with emphasis on low vision & blindness

at Mico University College in Jamaica.

Mr. Anthony Avril, Executive Director of

SLBWA and first Vice President of CCB,

represented CCB and SLBWA in two

major events in Europe in June. He

attended a special luncheon meeting to

commemorate sixty years of service by SSI

in support of people affected by blindness

and vision impairment in the world. The

event was held at Buckingham Palace,

under the Patronage of Princess Royal

Alexandra. He took part in a development

summit organized by the World Blind

Union (WBU) Madrid, Spain.

Two SLBWA clients, Ms. Stacia Jules and

Mr. Orlanco Alcide, attended a World

Blind Union/CCB leadership training

workshop in Barbados.

CCB’s Web Manager, Mr. Arvel Grant Jr.

visited SLBWA with a mission to evaluate

and upgrade the Association’s computers

and deliver a workshop in using Microsoft

Outlook.

Ms. Jessica Jacobie attended a 3-week

workshop organized by Mobility

International USA. The workshop, hosted

by Women’s Institute on Leadership and

Disability (WILD) was held in Oregon,

USA. 25 women from around the world

participated in this workshop.

SLBWA was represented by Mrs. Emma

Bernard-Joseph and Mr. Ezekiah

Alphonse at a Caribbean Pharmacists

Association workshop held in St.Lucia

during the year in review. One of the

topics for discussion at the workshop was

disability and accessibility.

SLBWA participated in a one-day

workshop on Human Rights and Health.

Mrs. Carmina Espeleta-Burton

represented SLBWA at that workshop

hosted by the UN in collaboration with the

Ministry of Health.

Ms. Catherine Barrett, Communication

Officer for the CCB/EC Project visited

SLBWA to gather information for upload

15

onto the webpage for SLBWA on the

CCB’s website.

Visibility Action:

During the year in review, SLBWA

facilitated a one-day sensitization

workshop for hospital staff. 23 persons

participated in that workshop held at the

Victoria Hospital.

SLBWA participated in 10 health fairs

during 2010 by invitation from other

partner and social services.

SLBWA was chosen by staff of the East

Caribbean Financial Holding Co. (ECFH)

to be featured in their “greedy for green” campaign. Staff of ECFH and their

families spent a day in “koude-main” style

atmosphere cleaning up the premises of

the Association.

SLBWA continues to play a major role in

the Puente in the Caribbean- Koudemein Sent Lisi Programme, under the auspices of the St.Lucia Social Development Fund

(SSDF). In October 2010, SLBWA

participated in the launching of the

psychosocial toolkit and life skills modules

of the Koudemein Sent Lisi programme.

The SLBWA participated in the St.Lucia

Homecoming Fair 2010 organized by the

Office of the Prime Minister in July at the

Beausejour Cricket Grounds. The fair

gave NGO’s and other organization the

opportunity to showcase their

programmes in an effort to attract support

from St.Lucian living overseas.

Income Generating Activities

SLBWA continues the production of mops

and creativity books to provide

employment to some clients. These

products are being sold in various stores.

16 Budget/Financial

For 2011 strategic plan activities will focus on the following

Programme Activity Activity Description

Year 2011 projection Source

Human Resources/Salaries/Benefits

salaries for all positions including statutory allowances, and support/part time staff. (Salaries for teachers paid directly by government) $ 1,059,819.60 EC/SLBWA

Travel

international travel, local transportation, per diems for assignments, etc. $ 102,000.00 EC/SLBWA

Vehicle procurement, acquisition, maintenance $ 95,000.00 EC/SLBWA

Equipment procurement, acquisition, maintenance $ 183,993.00 EC/SLBWA

Furniture purchase of new and maintenance of existing $ 6,035.00 SLBWA

Aides/Devices/Supplies low vision aids, operational supplies $ 36,946.00 SLBWA/KIS

Infrastructure/Vision Centers upgrading and establishment EC/SLBWA

Workshops/Seminars/Conferences/meetings/sensitization

ACMs. BGMs, V2020, EC, PMC local and regional,clients, staff $ 7,268.00

SLBWA/ Source

Visibility Actions BAM, WSD,Glaucoma Day, etc. $ 15,600.00 EC/SLBWA

Projects/Programmes

MDVI, KIS,IT, Mops, Creativity books, Resource mobilizations, $ 72,000.00

EC/SLBWA/ HPI/Source

Training/Capacity Building

training for staff, other EC regulated positions, professional development $ 124,062.00

EC/SLBWA/Source

Consumables- Office Supplies utilities, office supplies $ 31,959.00 EC/SLBWA

Insurance building & content, travel, vehicle $ 7,050.00 SLBWA

Repairs & Maintenance repairs to equipment and building $ 5,200.00 SLBWA

Details included in the document titled SLBWA 2011-2014 Activities/Budget Forecast found

in Annex 1 (page 21).

17 Projects Kids Insight

The Kids Insight Programme was

conceived during a meeting between

Nurse Denise Godin, Eye Health Officer of

St. Lucia Blind Welfare Association

[SLBWA], and Dr. Terry Schwartz,

Pediatric Ophthalmologist, of West

Virginia University [WVU] in 1999. That

opportune meeting took place

coincidentally at “Vision 99” in New York.

Dr. Schwartz recruited a team of

volunteers from the Eye Institute of WVU,

including the Children Vision

Rehabilitation Project (CVRP). The Kids

Insight team includes Dr. Judie

Charlton, Cataract and Glaucoma

Specialist, Dr. Terry Schwartz, Pediatric

Eye Surgeon, Dr. Jamie Miller, Retinal

Specialist, Dr. Tony Realini, Glaucoma

Specialist, Ms. Donna Wheeler, OR/Eye

Nurse, Nurse Tammy Miller, Low Vision

Specialist (Canadian National Institute

for the Blind Thunder Bay division), Ms.

Tracey Riley, Ophthalmic Technician, Mr.

Lenny Fink, Occupational Therapist, Mr.

Dan Oates, Orientation and Mobility

Specialist and Ms. Rebecca Coakley,

Education Specialist and coordinator of

the WVU leg of the programme.

The Vision 2020 Committee, including

SLBWA and the Lionistic family of St.

Lucia, organized the first Kid Insight in

2003 to address the critical need for

surgery in children born with cataracts.

This one-time intervention has developed

into an ever growing national programme

to address blinding eye conditions in

children. The success of Kids Insight can

be attributed to the commitment of the

team members, the support of SLBWA,

the Lions Clubs of St. Lucia (and

International Lions) and the strong

network with the Ministry of Health, St.

Jude Hospital, Victoria Hospital, the

Community Nursing Service, National

Vision 2020 Committee, Dr. Jackie Bird,

Government Pediatrician, Dr. Emsco

Remy, Dr Suresh Puthalath and Dr. S.

Shah, Government Ophthalmologists who

provide proactive support, referral, and

follow-up to the programme.

February 2010 marked the 8th visit for

Kids Insight from the team from West

Virginia Eye Institute.

18

Kids Insight Achievements for 2010

Overview of Kids Insight Project

2007 2009 2010

# Team Members 9 7 6

# Children Examined 179 157 170

# Adults Examined 22 22 45

# Surgeries 44 eyes 45 eyes 42 eyes

#Cataract Surgeries 8 eyes 6 eyes 12 eyes

# Strabismus Surgeries 38 eyes 38 eyes 30 eyes

# Other Surgeries 0 0 1 eye

# Glasses Prescribed 54 35 51

# Teacher Training Work 1 0 0

# Multi-Disabled VI Work. 1 1 2

# Medical Workshops 1 0 2

# Schools Visited 2 0 0

Student Eye Screening 245 0 0

Pre Braille Workshop

The workshop was held on 10th to 14th

May for teachers and principals of

institutions serving students with visual

impairments. The facilitators were Ms.

Trina Britcher, itinerant teacher from

West Virginia, and Ms. Rebecca Coakley,

head of the CVRP/Kids Insight team.

Team Members,

6

Children Examined,

170

Adults Examined,

45

Surgeries, 42

Cataract Surgeries,

12

Strabismus

Surgeries, 30

Other Surgeries,

1

Glasses Prescribed

, 51

Multi-Disabled

VI Workshop,

2

Medical Workshop

s, 2

19

St. Lucia Glaucoma Selective Laser

Trabeculoplasty Research Study

Dr. Tony Realini, Glaucoma Specialist,

West Virginia Eye Institute received

support from SLBWA, MOH, Victoria

Hospital, St. Jude’s Hospital, and Ethics

Committee for a glaucoma project to

address Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty

(SLT) in St. Lucia as a glaucoma

treatment

SLBWA is an important partner in the

coordination, implementation, and follow-

up of this project.

Research Study Team includes: Dr. Tony

Realini (MD, MPH) glaucoma specialist,

Hilda Curtis, Research Coordinator, and

Denise Godin, in-island Coordinator. 64

participants have been chosen. An update

report has been sent to partners.

In August 2010 the team had a 1-week

visit to meet all St. Lucian partners. After

a comprehensive selection process 64

participants have been chosen for this

study which commences in January 2011.

Space Camp Visit

In September, Nathaniel Victor, a 14 year

old blind student from Soufriere and Mr.

Casim Lansiquot, an

itinerant teacher

attended a week-long

camp at the US Space and

Rocket Center in

Huntsville, Alabama

organized by Space Camp for Visually

Impaired Students (SCIVIS). This special

week is coordinated by teachers of the

visually impaired from all over the United

States. Many adaptations are available

this week that are not available during a

normal week at Space Camp. Braille,

large print, CCTV's, voice output on

selected computers, visually impaired

speakers, and support help from certified

teachers of the visually impaired are just

a few.

Blindness Awareness Month 2010

Blindness Awareness Month May 2010

was celebrated under the theme “Coping

with Blindness – Sensitizing our youth”.

The highlight of the month was National

Youth Seminar which was in collaboration

with Rise St. Lucia and National Youth

Council with the main goal of bringing

blind and visually impaired youth

together with their sighted peers to

discuss youth-related issues.

Other activities included a games night, a

church service at St. Benedict’s Parish and

a First Aid Workshop for staff members

given the St. Lucia chaper of St. John’s

Ambulance Society.

20

Caribbean Council for the

Blind/European

Commission Project: Delivering Vision2020 in the Caribbean

The main objective of this five year project

is to reduce the prevalence of blindness

and visual impairment amongst rural and

poor populations through capacity

building in Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St.

Lucia, and the Caribbean region.

As one of the main partners in this

project, SLBWA officers, attended the

official launching and an extensive

workshop of the project in Guyana.

Scholarships

Part of capacity building under the

CCB/EC Project is awarding of

scholarships for Ophthalmology,

Optometry and Refraction. Scholarship

recipients are:

Ophthalmology:

Dr. Darra Burt (Study in Dominican

Republic)

Optometry:

Ms. Marlene Lendor (Sept 2010) and

Ms. Seslyn Maylor (Sept 2011)

(Study in Guyana)

Refraction:

Mr. Alphan Leon (Sept 2010) and

Mr. Chadwick Lewis (Sept 2011)

(Study in Guyana)

Primary Health Care Training

There were 2 workshops for 2010 (26th

August and 29th October) with 16

participants. The plan is to conduct four

primary health care workshops [targeting

teachers and community health care

workers] each year for the next four years

[ending 2014].

Mrs. Adelaide Addo-Fening from

Sightsavers International visited SLBWA

and other CCB/EC Vision 2020 project

partners in August.

21

SLBWA experienced many serious

challenges in 2010. Escalating cost of

living and crime rate, unemployment and

other social issues impacted the

Association’s clients severely. Several

members of staff were affected by illness

and loss of family members. However,

these problems could not compare to the

unexpected devastation caused by

Hurricane Tomas.

Hurricane Tomas overstretched the

capacity of SLBWA to respond to urgent

the needs of its clients. The aftermath of

the hurricane also affected other activities

planned for late 2010, including

Twadisyon Noel.

Despite the strain on the financial and

human resources SLBWA remains

committed to fulfilling its mandate of

providing:

- Affordable, quality and up-to-date

eye care services

- Integrated and accommodative

education for blind and visually

impaired children

- Opportunities of employment for

blind and visually impaired adults

- Access to adaptive technology

Recommendations

1. The 3-year plan ended in December

2010. Consequently, SLBWA’s

Executive Council required the

Secretariat to prepare a 4-year plan

to guide the work of the Association

from 2011 through 2014.

2. Develop a business and marketing

plans for ECSL

3. Develop plans for income

generating projects for SLBWA and

its clients such as the recycling

project.

4. Initiate a concerted effort, to access

employment for blind and visually

impaired persons in St. Lucia.

5. Vigorously address social issues

such as gender empowerment and

employment relating to blindness

and vision impairment.

6. Mobilize resources to continue the

Blind Cricket programme as it

plays a critical role in the

rehabilitative process of the clients.

22 Staff Members Mr. Ezekiah Alphonse

IT Instructor

Mr. Samuel Antoine

Spectacle Lab Technician

Mr. Anthony Avril

Executive Director/St. Lucia Programme Director

Mrs. Emma Bernard-Joseph

ECSL Manager/ National Vision2020 Coordinator

Ms. Nikki Edmunds

Receptionist

Mrs. Margaret Edwards

Inclusive Education Itinerant Teacher

Mrs. Carmina Espeleta-Burton

Finance and Administrative Assistant

Ms. Eustacia Felicien

Multi Sensory Impairment Programme Technical

Resource Person Dennery Centre

Mr. Lindon George

Multi Sensory Impairment Programme Teacher

Mrs. Denise Godin

Eye Health Officer/Regional Focal Person for LV

Ms. Gladys Hazelwood

ECSL Administrative Assistant

Ms. Jessica Jacobie

Assistant Project Development Officer

Mrs. Martha Jeffers

Multi Sensory Impairment Programme Coordinator

Mrs. Edem Jongue

Optometrist

Mrs. Theresa Julien

Inclusive Education Programme Coordinator

Mrs. Debora Pamphile-McLean

Administrative, Finance, Project Development and

Resource Mobilization Manager

Mrs. Marie Parsons

ECSL Receptionist

Ms. Margaritta St. Edward

Clerical Assistant

Mrs. Coletta Thomas

Janitor

Mrs. Jacqueline Thompson

Inclusive Education Itinerant Teacher

Mr. Raymond Thompson

Inclusive Education Itinerant Teacher

Mrs. Winnie Weekes

Technical Adjustment to Blindness Officer

23 Board of Directors Interim President

Dr. Horatius Jeffers

Immediate Past President

Mr. Anthony Louis

Second Vice President

Dr. Benet Henry

Secretary

Ms. Jessica Jacobie

Treasurer

Mr. Johnson Cenac

Public Relations Officer

Ms. Claudia Monlouis

Members

Mr. Orlando Alcide

Mr. Ezekiah Alphonse

Mr. Horace Polimus

Board Member Resignations

Mr. Martin Weekes

Mr. Jacques Compton

Mr. Lionel Pierre

Major Contributors/Donors

Governor General of Saint Lucia

Caribbean Council for the Blind

Sightsavers International

Persons Associated with Visual

Impairment (PAVI)

Canadian National Institute for the Blind

Hilton Perkins School for the Blind

Disabled Persons International

CCB EyeCare Guyana

Biblisonag

Jamaica Society for the Blind

Societe Haitienne d’Aide aux Aveugles

Dominica Association for Persons with

Disabilities

Ministry of Education

Ministry of Health

Government Information Service

National Insurance Corporation

Eastern Caribbean Financial Holdings Ltd

First National Bank

Bank of Nova Scotia

M&C

24

Consolidated Food Limited

Courts St. Lucia Ltd.

LIME

JE Bergasse

Digicel

St. Lucia Electricity Services Ltd

Auberge Seraphine

Lions Clubs of St. Lucia

St. Lucia Red Cross Society

St. Lucia Social Development Fund

St. John’s Ambulance Society

St. Lucia Chapter

St. Lucian American Progressive League

National Council Of and For Persons with

Disabilities

National Council Of and For Older

Persons

National Community Foundation

National Youth Council

Visionaires

Rise St. Lucia Inc

Ms .Sophia Felix

Ms. Leona Prospere

Ms. Elma Prospere

Mr. Graiton Mathurin

Mr. Sidney Ghirawoo

Ms. Pearle Beausoleil

Ms. Natalie Popovic

Ms. Olive Robinson

Ms. Eleanor Robinson

Ms. Daphne Collymore

Ms. Rosemary Compton

Mr. TC Brown

Ms. Yasmin Housen

Mr. Russel Lake

Mr. Rodney Maxius

Helen Television System

Daher Broadcasting System

Radio Saint Lucia

Radio Caribbean International

The Voice Publishing Co.

Think Caribbean Television

Choice Television

Rizzen Fm

Prayz Fm

Joy FM

Rhythm FM

25

Annex 1

SLBWA 2011 ACTIVITIES/BUDGET FORECAST

Units of support per year

ACCOUNT NUMBER PROGRAMME ACTIVITY Number SOURCE STATUS

172000 172000:Human Resources/Salaries/Benefits

172001 Executive Director 1 EC/SLBWA

172002 Reg LV Focal Person/Eye Health Officer 1 EC/SLBWA

172003 Nat.V2020 Co-ordinator/Manager ECSL 1 EC/SLBWA

172004 Finance/Admin/Proj.Dev.Manager-St.Lucia 1 EC/SLBWA

172005 Adjustment to Blindness Officer 1 SLBWA

172006 Teacher-in-charge,Inclusive Education 1 MoE/Gov't

172007 Optometrist 1 SLBWA

172008 Ophthalmologist 0 SLBWA

172009 Assistant Project Officer 1 SLBWA

172010 Finance/Administrative Assist 1 EC/SLBWA

172011 Receptionist 0 SLBWA

172011-1 Receptionist (front office) 1 SLBWA

172012 Admin. Assistant ECSL 1 SLBWA

172013 Dispensing Technician 0 EC/SLBWA

172014 Spectacle Lab Technician 1 EC/SLBWA

172015 Refractionist 1 SLBWA

172016 Doctor's Assistant ECSL 1 SLBWA

172017 Nurse (Eye Health/ECSL) 0 MoH/Gov't

172018 Adjustment to Blindness Technician (south) 0 SLBWA

172019 Clerical Asssistant 1 SLBWA

172020 IT Instructor 1 SLBWA

172021 Janitor 1 SLBWA

172022 Itinerant Teachers [North, ] (3) 3 MoE/Gov't

172023 Itinerant Teachers [South, ] (5) 5 MoE/Gov't

172024 MDVI Programme Teachers [North, ] (2) 2 MoE/Gov't

172025 MDVI Programme Teachers [South ] (1) 1 MoE/Gov't

173000 173000: Other support staff

173000-1 Teacher Aid 2 SLBWA

173001 Visiting Doctor (s) SLBWA

173002 Spectacle Lab Technician SLBWA

Subtotal Human Resoutces/Salaries/Benefits

26 174000 Travel

174001 Per Diems For Missions/Travel

174002 Abroad (Action Staff Assigned)

EU project LV Counselor

174003 Local Allowance -Staff Assigned To Action SLBWA

174004 Seminar/Conference Participants

174005 International Travel

MSc Course travel to London

174006 Local Transportation SLBWA

174007 Integration Programme MoE/SLBWA

Subtotal Travel

175000 Vehicle

175001 Rental of vehicles SLBWA

175002 Vehicle (replacement) EC/SLBWA

175003 Vehicle maintenance EC/SLBWA

Subtotal Vehicle

176000 Equipment

176000-1 Computers (3) To be sourced for nurse

176000-2 Multimedia Projectors (1) EC/CCB

176000-3 New Laptops (1) To be sourced

176000-4 Printer (2) To be sourced

176000-5 Cameras (4) SLBWA

176000-6 Headsets with mics (8) To be sourced

176000-7 Generator To be sourced

176000-8 PA System (1) To be sourced

176000-9 Phaco Exam Machine (1) Kids Insight for repair

176000-10 Refrigerator (1) SLBWA

176000-11 Diagnostic Equipment

Kids Insight for teachers

176000-12 Braillon Sheets SLBWA

176000-13 Braille Machines SLBWA

176000-14 Braille Mathematics Sets (2) SLBWA

176000-15 Braille Paper SLBWA

176000-16 Stove SLBWA

176000-17 kitchen utensils/crockery SLBWA

Subtotal Equipment

177000 Furniture

177000-1 Portable folding screen (1) SLBWA

177000-2 Display Cabinets SLBWA

177000-3 Office Chairs (5) - 2 for ECSL/1 - eye health/1 TABO/1 Recp.

SLBWA

177000-4 Desk (2) - 1 for ECSL/1 eye health SLBWA

177000-5 Examination chair To be sourced

Subtotal Furniture

178000 Aides/Devices/Supplies

27 178000-1 Mobility Canes To be sourced

178000-2 Low vision Aids & Devices KIS

178000-3 Frames (including sun shades) SLBWA

178000-4 Lens SLBWA

178000-5 Medication SLBWA

178000-6 Spectacle Cases SLBWA

178000-7 Mini viewer To be sourced

178000-8 Talking Calculators SLBWA

Subtotal Aides/Devices/Supplies

179000 Infrastructure/Vision Centers

179001 Upgrading Equip in ECSL 0 EC/Donor

179002 Work station Eye Health Nurse 0 SLBWA for nurse

179003 Operating/Surgical theatre 0 EC/Donor

179004 Works space for Teachrer-in-charge 0 SLBWA

179005 Establishment of Vision centers (2) 0 EC/Donor

179006 Home for MDVI programme To be sourced

Subtotal Infrustructure/Vision Centers

180000 Software

180000-1 Antivirus 1 SLBWA

180000-2 JAWS/kurzwiel/Magic 10 To be sourced

Subtotal Software

181000 Workshops/Seminars/Conferences

181000-1 KidsInsight (2) 1

Kids Insight every year

181000-2 Teacher training 1 SLBWA

181000-3 Vocation skills blind/VI men & women 1 To be sourced

181000-3.1 Empowerment of B & VI women: Equal rights (1) 1

To be sourced

181000-3.2 Gender based issues 0

To be sourced

181000-4 Preparation for employment 0 To be sourced

Subtotal Workshops/Seminars/Conferences

182000 Advocacy/Sensitization/Meetings

182001 National V2020 Meetings 4 CCB/EU

182002 AGM 1 SLBWA

182003 Heads of Services 12 SLBWA

182004 Local EC Project Management Committee 4 SLBWA

182005 Teacher appreciation Day 1 SLBWA

182006 Annual & Biennual meetings of CCB partners CCB/SLBWA

182007 V2014 0 To be sourced

182008 Employers sensitization workshop To be sourced

Subtoatal Advocacy/Sensitization/Meetings

183000 Publications To be sourced

183001 Studies and Research CCB/EU

183002 20 KAP Studies/Clinic Surveys CCB/EU

183003 Auditing Costs SLBWA/CCB/EU

28 183004 Glaucoma Study WVU

183005 Translation CCB/EU

Subtotal Publications

184000 Visibility Actions

184001 World Sight Day 1 SLBWA/EC

184002 Blindness Awareness Month 1 SLBWA

184003 White Cane Day 1 SLBWA/EC

184004 Glaucoma Week 1 SLBWA/EC

184005 Other SLBWA

184006 Production/upgrading Website To be sourced

Subtotal Visibility Actions

185000 Projects/Programmes

185001 KidsInsight 1 KI, Int Lions

185006 MDVI 1 Perkins Int'l

185007 IT Programme 1 To be sourced

Subtotal Projects/Programmes

186000 Training/Capacity Building

62005 Opth. Guyana & St. Lucia - Flight CCB/EU

62006 Opt. Guyana/St Lucia Accom/CoL CCB/EU

62007 Opth. Guyana& St Lucia Tuition CCB/EU

62008 Opth. Guyana & St Lucia Edu. Mat CCB/EU

62013 Optometrist Training - Flight CCB/EU

62014 Optometrist Training Accom/CoL CCB/EU

62015 Optometrist Train. Tuition/Exam CCB/EU

62016 Optometrist Edu. Materials CCB/EU

62017 Refractionist Training - Flight CCB/EU

62018 Refractionist Training Accm/CoL CCB/EU

62019 Refractionist Training Tuition CCB/EU

62020 Refractionist Edu.Materials CCB/EU

62021 Low Vision Training CCB/EU

62022 Low Vision Training Accom/CoL CCB/EU

62023 Low Vision Edu. Materials CCB/EU

62024 Low Vision Training Kits CCB/EU

62028 LV Counsellor Train - Accom/CoL CCB/EU

62029 LV Counsellor Train - Edu. Mat CCB/EU

62033 PHC Training- Accom CCB/EU

62034 PHC Training- Edu.Mat CCB/EU

186001 Special Education Teacher Training (Perkins Int.) To be sourced

186002 Special Education Teacher Training (Mico.) To be sourced

186007 Project Manaagement & Development (Project Officers) 1 SLBWA

186008 Human Resource Management Training (3) 1 SLBWA

186009 Front Office Procedures 1 SLBWA

186010 Computer Skills (staff) 0 SLBWA

186011 Computer Skills (Clients) SLBWA

186012 MSc. Public Health (EHO) 0 To be sourced 1-yr course in

29 London

186013 Admin Skill Development (Admin. Unit) 0 To be sourced

186014 Teacher Development training 0 SLBWA

186015 MBA 1 To be sourced

186016 Fellowship in Ophthalmology 0 To be sourced

186017 MSc. Optometry 0 To be sourced

186018 Dispencing Technician 0 SLBWA/CCB

Subtotal Training/Capacity Building

187000 Consumables- Office Supplies

Office supplies

Subtotal Consumables/Office supplies

188000 Insurance

188001 Travel 12 SLBWA

188002 Building & Contents 1 SLBWA

188003 Vehicle 1 SLBWA

188004 Liscences & Permits 1

Subtotal Insurance

189000 Marketing

189001 Luncheon meetings SLBWA

189002 Print/Electronic Media SLBWA

189003 Other SLBWA

Subtotal Marketing

190000 Meals/Entertainment

SLBWA

Subtotal Meals/Entertainment

191000 Utilities

191001 Electricity SLBWA/CCB

191002 Water SLBWA/CCB

191003 Telephone - (land,fax & mobile) SLBWA/CCB

Subtotal utilities

192000 Other Services/Projects/Income Generating Activities

192001 Resource Mobilisation & fundraising to be sourced

192003 Security Services SLBWA

192004 Mop project 1 SLBWA

192005 Creativity book project 1 SLBWA

192006 Recycling Project 0 to be sourced

192007 Access World project 0 to be sourced

192008 Poultry farm project 1 SLBWA

Subtotal other services/projects/income generating

193000 Other

193001 Staff loans SLBWA

193002 Client support SLBWA/Source

193003 Accounts Payable SLBWA

Subtotal Other

194000 Repairs & Maintenance

30 194001 Ground maintenance

194002 Building

194003 Equipment

Subtotal repairs & maintenance

Total costs of action/activities

NOTES

1. Entire budget is quoted in Eastern Caribbean dollars