EuropeAid

Infrastructure project to establish a medical, technical andsocial network for the integration of disadvantaged people  

This project is having a great impact,because in the state of Chihuahuathere are no other institutions able toprovide the services that we offer. Thelocal population truly values what theEU does for them by financing thisproject. We consider that our projecthas many possibilities for growing, itcould be implemented in other parts ofthe country.

Verónica Riva Palacio Máynez, CEIAC

Context 

The Low Vision Programme is being implemented in the state ofChihuahua, in northern Mexico. It is run by the association Centro deEstudios para Invidentes, A.C (CEIAC) and it is a successful example ofhow the EU can cooperate with other private actors and Mexicanauthorities in raising the living standards of people with disabilities fromdisadvantaged backgrounds. This programme provides medical servicesto people with problems of low vision and helps them to make the bestpossible use of their remaining sight so they can reintegrate to society.

Objective 

This programme has two main goals. It aims at the reduction ofpoverty of people with visual disabilities (PWVD) in the state ofChihuahua and at facilitating their social integration as a means forincreasing their opportunities of personal development.

The specific objective of this programme is to develop medical,technical and social networks that help people with low vision toachieve full use of their remaining vision and that support them inliving a self-sufficient and productive life.

Impact 

More than 700 persons with low vision have received continuousmedical attention, instruments for improving their sight, and supportfor reintegrating into the society.

More than 1,600 special education teachers, medical staff and socialworkers have been trained for helping people with visual disabilities.

Extensive cooperation with the public health sector that hasexpanded the reach of the programme.

Health care and training Low Vision Programme Chihuahua 

EC Partners 

Centro de Estudiospara Invidentes, A.C.(CEIAC)

Christian Blind Mission(CBM) DE and UK

Chihuahua stategovernment agencies

Mexican SocialSecurity Institute(IMSS)

Local NGO's

Facts and Figures 

Duration of theprogramme: 2007 –2011EC contribution of €1,498,646 (75% oftotal)

Optical checkupsprovided for 3,500persons

Optical treatmentsand instrumentsgiven to 783 persons

For more information: http://www.ceiac.org MDG 1

EuropeAid

Low Vision Programme Chihuahua 

Infrastructure project to establish a medical, technical and socialnetwork for the integration of disadvantaged people  

The story of Marta Victoria, 29 years old

When I was 15 years old I was diagnosed with a macroadenoma in thepituitary gland, which pressed the optical nerve. Since the pituitarygland drives hormonal functioning, surgery was very risky at my age,because I was still growing. The pressure of the tumour caused me avisual disability. Very tough times followed. I felt as if I were dead butstill alive. I couldn’t accept that I was not anymore like everybody else.Fortunately, my family supported me, they didn’t let me fall. My sistergot me a job as a domestic worker so I wouldn’t be alone in our home.

I was surrounded by optimistic people that supported and encouragedme to do things by myself. Neither my family, nor my friends, nor mybosses, nor my doctors let me imprison myself in my disability. It was atime for learning. Learning how to move, learning how to ask for help,learning to live differently.

Eventually I got married and had 3 healthy children. I taught them howto help me, and they assisted me when we walked in the street andwhen we took the bus.

Six years ago the tumour disappeared. But life had another test for me.My husband had troubles in the United States and was out of home for4 years. I had to take care of the family by myself. One day, while I wasseeking for help to support my family, I found a DIF (National Systemfor the Integral Development of Families), where I discovered the LowVision Programme and got their full support.

Now I know that the most important thing is accepting our problems,because if we don’t accept them we just stay home and never fix them.Now I can do everything… I cook, I do the laundry and I do all thehousekeeping without help. If when I was 15 I would have had theoptical instruments that I have now, I would not have abandoned school.But you cannot change the past. Now I can help my children with theirhomework and everything they can think of.

Marta Victoria

Health care and training