Bright Eye Organisation aim to support people with disabilities in Kenya (currently specifically Rongai) to access health and education. This is carried out in a number of ways, for example offering sponsorship to individuals who require a safe place to live with support staff , clean water, and therapy. This is a huge help to families who cannot provide for their child with disabilities at home, but are also unable to afford somewhere that can provide for their needs, encourage independence through activities and learning skills.
In Kenya, healthcare can be expensive and difficult to access, especially for individuals with disabilities who are unable to find employment. This can lead to delaying necessary treatment, exacerbating healthcare needs. Other projects have included funding emergency health care needs, ongoing treatment, staff training, equipment to promote independence and hopefully in the future to hire a teacher for academic and vocational skills.
Previous projects have included getting suitable seating for people with complex physical disabilities within the centre. Along with some basic staff training, this ensured that people were appropriately positioned both to reduce pain/discomfort, but also to reduce the risk of aspiration while eating and drinking. These seats were specially made to fit the complex shape of the individuals. Other equipment provided include a wheelchair with a third wheel to enable individuals to travel outside of the centre of the off-road terrain of Kenyan streets. So far this has been used for haircuts, visits to church, medical appointments and more.
With regards healthcare, BEO have funded medication for infections, first aid kits and training, emergency treatment such as stitches following a fall, diagnostic treatment such as x-ray and covid tests and preventative measures such as a water filter and reusable masks during the covid pandemic.
