Improving Access to Eye Care Services in Karonga, Malawi

Feb 07, 2023

 

In the remote district of Karonga, Malawi, access to eye care services was once a distant dream for the community. A lack of infrastructure and resources made it challenging for residents to diagnose and treat their eye problems, forcing them to travel over 230 km to reach Mzuzu City for treatment. But that all changed with the arrival of the Karonga Eye Care Center, born from a self-initiated outreach program led by Aida Mwawa.

Aida was driven to improve access to eye care services in her community after recognizing the dire need for such services. She applied for USADF's Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) program and underwent training before being awarded a US$10K grant funding to boost her eye care business. With the support of USADF, Aida was able to procure an eye testing machine, glasses frames and lenses, a desktop computer, office rentals, and hire an optometrist.

The USADF intervention made a tangible impact on the lives of the people in Karonga District. Access to eye care services was no longer a distant dream, but a reality within their reach. The grant allowed the Karonga Eye Care Center to diagnose and treat the various eye problems of 720 community members and provide them with the necessary eyeglasses. No longer were the people of Karonga forced to travel over 230 km for basic eye care services.

Thanks to USADF and the vision of Aida Mwawa, the Karonga Eye Care Center is helping to transform the lives of the community by providing access to much-needed eye care services. The US$10K grant has had a ripple effect, improving the health and quality of life for the people of Karonga District.