Burkina Faso, formerly known as the Republic of Upper Volta, is a French-speaking, land-locked country in Sub Saharan West Africa with a population of over 17 million. In a poor country where quality health care is almost impossible to access, Burkina Health Foundation (BHF) works in partnership with the local community and others to create sustainable medical resources. One in ten school children in the country have vision problems. By identifying school children with poor vision and providing them with spectacles, this project will have far-reaching benefits for both the individual and society.

There is evidence that restoring visual potential in children can improve their chance of completing their education, improve their personal development and ensure that they can contribute to society when they grow up. Following a successful pilot project, the ALMT are supporting BHF in expanding the offering, which establishes and trains a screening team that delivers regular and sustainable vision screening in government secondary schools in Bobo Dioulasso, to include a rural outreach element.