Africa and the Caribbean

Across Africa there are more than 6.8 million people who are blind and another 47 million with visual impairment. More than 300,000 children are deafblind. The vast majority of these young learners do not have the opportunity to attend school and receive an education. These basic rights are even more limited for children who are deafblind or blind with additional impairments. In collaboration with local schools and agencies, Perkins is providing more than 500 children in this group with educational services each year.

A deafblind teenager and his teacher weave a basket, Ghana

Perkins' work in Africa is particularly unique because of the Institutional Development Program (IDP). The IDP builds and strengths organizations of and for the blind and is led by blind and partially sighted individuals. This program embodies Perkins' philosophy of supporting individuals, organizations and communities in realizing their full potential. 

The impact these individuals have on their organizations ripples throughout communities across the continent. Between 1989 and 2006, the IDP provided training to more than 190 leaders from Africa and the Caribbean. To date, these leaders have provided services to nearly 17,000 people who are blind.

In Africa, we partner with locals schools in the Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, and South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda. In the Caribbean, our partners are located in Jamaica and St.  Lucia. We also work with groups in Antigua and Haiti. 

For more information on our programs in these areas, please contact Aubrey Webson, Africa/Caribbean Regional Coordinator, at Aubrey.Webson@Perkins.org. 

Learn more about our programs in Africa:

• Expanding Educational Opportunities
• Building Local Expertise
• Institutional Development Program
• Supporting Parents
• Influencing Policies
• Producing and Translating Materials
• Expanding Access to Braille Literacy