4. Evaluations and impact assessment: n/a
5. Partnerships:
5.1 ICEE, in keeping with the terms of its partnership with CCB, has facilitated the following initiatives:
· Regular teleconferences – CCB, Sightsavers and ICEE – to discuss program initiatives and planned support re: Antigua, Guyana and Jamaica;
· Ordering and shipment of Tracer and Digital Edger and other equipment to Jamaica, Guyana and Antigua;
· Provision of Curriculum Modules and other Course Materials re: Certificate in Refraction Techniques, and Bachelor Degree in Optometry.
6. In-country Fundraising and Funding:
6.1 A full Proposal was submitted to the EC on behalf of CCB, entitled, “Promoting V2020 to eliminate avoidable blindness through capacity building”, targeting programs in: Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, and St. Lucia. It is anticipated that a response will be available by August.
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.
6.3 CCB has submitted an application to IADB re: funding for a Project: “Introducing Swell Form Graphics and Easy Converter Technologies to the Caribbean – The era of tactile graphics and audio text for all”. The funding, if approved, will be used to introduce the technologies to thirteen (13) sites across the region.
6.4 CCB and the West Indies Cricket Council for the Blind (WICCB), along with Sightsavers International, are currently exploring a possible partnership with the International Cricket Council (ICC) during its Twenty20 Cricket Tournament in the Caribbean in 2010. Options are being examined to use the alliance for profile/awareness raising re: issues of blindness and also for the fundraising. A Project Proposal is being developed for submission to the ICC.
6.5 Research on issues of: Social Entrepreneurship/Social Enterprise.
7. Advocacy:
7.1 Website Development:
Ongoing development has continued with extensive overhaul and the addition of new features to the Website. It is anticipated that this process will continue during the third quarter.
7.2 Blind Cricket:
Preparations are advanced for the Annual Regional Tournament, which will be hosted by Guyana during July 19th – 24th.
8. Future events that may be of interest to the Communications Team:
8.1 Phase II – MRH Development Project
8.2 Establishment of Vision Centers at: Mandeville Regional Hospital (Jamaica).
8.3 Regional Blind Cricket Tournament 2009.
End of Bulletin.