For more than three years, Ivone Kathambi remained out of school. Living with a visual impairment that made learning increasingly difficult, she gradually lost confidence in her ability to keep up with her studies. What began as a challenge in seeing classroom materials eventually became a barrier to education itself. Being away from school meant more than missing lessons. It meant watching her peers continue their education while her own dreams seemed increasingly distant.
Everything changed when Ivone was identified through the Vision Impact Project and referred for a comprehensive low vision assessment. The assessment revealed that with the right support and assistive devices, she could continue her education successfully.
She was provided with a dome magnifier to enlarge reading materials, a reading stand to improve comfort and posture while studying, and photochromatic spectacles to reduce glare and enhance visual comfort. With improved access to learning materials, Ivone regained confidence in her abilities and returned to school. Tasks that had once been frustrating became manageable, allowing her to participate actively in classroom activities and keep up with her studies.
Today, Ivone is back in school, pursuing her education with determination and renewed hope. Her story demonstrates how timely intervention and appropriate assistive devices can remove barriers and open doors to opportunity for children with visual impairments. For Ivone, the support she received was more than a set of devices, it was a pathway back to education and a brighter future.
