5. Partnerships:
5.1 Antigua and Barbuda Glaucoma Support Group:
CCB participated in the ‘walk’ to observe World Glaucoma Day held on Saturday March 7th. The ‘walk’ was re-scheduled on account of Antigua and Barbuda’s General Elections being held on March 12th.
5.2 CCB continues to work with ICEE
re: Development of Modules for the Certificate in Refraction Techniques, through the provision of Course Notes in Public Health. It is anticipated that Course Notes for other Modules will be available soon. Regular teleconferences have been held with ICEE’s Representative, Nelson Rivera, and Philip Hand (Sightsavers).
6. In-country Fundraising and Funding:
6.1 A Concept Note was submitted to the EC on behalf of CCB, seeking funding for programs in Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Lucia, with emphasis on Human Resource
Development (HRD).
6.2 In an effort to identify Foundations to be targeted for fundraising, CCB Secretariat has been engaged in advanced research of Caribbean Foundations, with support from Sightsavers International for similar research targeting Foundations in the US. The findings of the research will be short-listed and used for direct contact re: resource mobilization.
7. Advocacy:
7.1 Website Development:
· CCB continues to make progress in the development of its Website with the addition of several new features, including “key words”. It is anticipated that this process will gain momentum during the second quarter.
7.2 Blind Cricket:
· A Celebrity 25-Over Cricket Match, commemorating Disability Month Celebration in Barbados, was played under the Patronage of the Hon. David Thompson, Prime Minister of Barbados, on March 28th. The Barbados Blind Cricket Association engaged a Celebrity Team that included, Barbados Cricket Legends, Local Clubs, Media Representatives, and an English Player, Roland Butcher. The Barbados Blind Cricket Team emerged winner.
7.3 Presentation to Rotary Club of Antigua – Sundown:
· CCB Secretariat joined with the Antigua and Barbuda Glaucoma Support Group to deliver presentations to the Rotary Club of Antigua – Sundown, on Thursday March 17th. CCB’s presentation focused on its Programs in the Caribbean Region and was well received.
8. Future events that may be of interest to the Communications Team:
8.1 Phase Two: MRH Development Project.
8.2 Eliazar Germain Hospital Development Project.
8.3 Establishment of Vision Centres at: Mandeville Regional Hospital (Jamaica) and at the National Ophthalmology Hospital (Port Mourant – Region #6, Guyana).
End of Bulletin.