Quality education is a fundamental right of every child. It shapes futures, expands opportunities and helps break cycles of poverty. Yet for many children, effective learning begins with something often taken for granted: good eyesight.
“There is a very close link between health and quality education because a child who cannot see well cannot perform well in school,” says Dr Henry Nkumbe, Chief Executive Officer of Magrabi ICO Cameroon Eye Institute (MICEI).
To mark this year’s Day of the African Child, MICEI offered free eye screenings to children aged 0 to 18 from June 16 to 18 at the 10th edition of the International Business, SME and Partnership Exhibition, PROMOTE, in Yaoundé.
The initiative forms part of the institute’s commitment to ensuring that children return to school for the 2026/2027 academic year free from undetected eye conditions that could hinder their learning and development.
Beyond providing consultations, the campaign highlights the importance of early detection and treatment of visual impairments, which can significantly affect a child’s academic performance, confidence and overall quality of life.
Celebrating Children Through Sight and Awareness
The Day of the African Child, commemorated annually on June 16, honours the courage of the schoolchildren who took part in the 1976 Soweto Uprising in South Africa, demanding equal access to quality education.
As part of this year’s celebration, MICEI partnered with The Forest Children of Africa, a renowned children’s cultural dance group, to raise awareness about eye health while bringing energy and visibility to the campaign.
For Dr Nkumbe, the involvement of the children carries a deeper message.
“The Forest Children are helping to convey the message of the children who lost their lives in the struggle for quality education. Beyond that, they are also raising awareness about environmental protection and climate change,” he explains.
He notes that today’s children will inherit the world being shaped by current decisions and actions.
“Whatever we do today, whether positive or negative, will have an impact on the world they will live in tomorrow. There is no better way to share the message of environmental protection than by involving children themselves,” he says.
According to Dr Nkumbe, environmental degradation poses significant risks to future generations, making it essential to engage young people in conversations about sustainability and responsible stewardship of natural resources.
Why PROMOTE?
Running until June 21 in Yaoundé, the 10th edition of PROMOTE is held under the theme: “Private businesses and the business environment: What guidelines for addressing national and international economic challenges?”
The event brings together entrepreneurs, businesses, public institutions, diplomatic missions and thousands of visitors from across Cameroon and beyond.
For MICEI, the exhibition provides a strategic platform to reach a diverse audience with important eye health messages.
“We are here because PROMOTE attracts large crowds, companies and entrepreneurs. It gives us the opportunity to sensitise the public on eye health, the need to care for their eyes, and the importance for companies to safeguard the visual health of their employees,” Dr Nkumbe explains.
He adds that poor visual health can directly affect workplace productivity, making eye care an important component of employee wellbeing and organisational performance.
Throughout the exhibition, the institute’s stand has continued to attract parents, guardians and children eager to learn more about eye health and access free consultations.
Through initiatives such as these, Magrabi ICO Cameroon Eye Institute is reinforcing a simple but powerful message: every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow and succeed with healthy vision.