6. In-country Fundraising and Funding:
6.1 EC Funding Application:
· The EC’s approval of the Proposal submitted on its behalf by Sightsavers International for the Project, “Promoting V2020 to eliminate avoidable blindness through capacity building”, has been confirmed. This Project is aimed at building the capacities of Partners and V2020 Committees in; Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica and St. Lucia; and to establish and strengthen mechanisms, and approaches to develop, implement and monitor eye health activities that increase access to services for persons who are blind and visually impaired. The Project is slated to commence in January 2010 and will extend over five (5) years.
· Sightsavers, CCB Secretariat and Partners have scheduled discussions to define preparatory activities to facilitate the commencement of the Project.
6.2 The Proposal, submitted to the IADB re: funding for Project: “Introducing Swell Form Graphics and Easy Converter Technologies to the Caribbean – The era of tactile graphics
and audio text for all”, was unsuccessful. CCB intends to make some adjustments and submit the Proposal to another Donor Agency.
7. Advocacy:
7.1 Website Development:
· CCB introduced a new Logo and posted several Reports to its Website. It is anticipated that other developments and improvements will accrue, over time.
· The Web Manager visited the Secretariat during August 17th to 21st, and undertook several tasks including:
– Calibrating, configuring and validating three (3) new high-powered Laptop Computers;
– Providing Project Development Manager with codes re: publishing capabilities on Website and orientation in the pre-positioning of Documents for upload;
– Refurbishing and updating eight Dell Systems.
7.2 Blind Cricket:
· The 2009 Annual Regional Tournament was hosted by Guyana during July 19th – 24th, with participation of teams from Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago and Guyana. The Windward Islands were absent, due to financial constraints. At the conclusion of the games, Jamaica was declared Regional Winners of both the League Cup and Champion’s Trophy.
8. Future events that may be of interest to the Communications Team:
8.1 Phase II – MRH Development Project – Establishment of Vision Centre.
8.2 Commissioning of Vision Centers at: Mandeville Regional Hospital (Jamaica); and Port Mourant, Guyana.
8.3 Approval by University of Guyana for the Degree in Optometry to be offered as one of its Courses.
End of Bulletin.