The Sightsavers team visited the TCF eye hospital at Calabar to see the functioning of the hospital.

Preliminary discussions on the modalities of a partnership between TCF and Sightsavers International were held at Abuja between the TCF team and Sightsavers team which also included Mrs. Faal , the West African in Charge.

A workshop was organized on March 2007 at Abuja by UNICEF where all the water officials from the Federal/ State Governments were invited to the presentation on the TCF model of bore well rehabilitation.

Mr. Naser, the program Manager made the presentation and explained the nuances of the TCF methodology and its emphasis on community participation and ownership.

UNICEF and the Federal Government have principally agreed to use the TCF model to cover 40 LGAs per State in all the 36 States and the FCT

During their visit to Yola, the TCF film was shown to all the interested students at ABTI University and an open house was held fielding questions on how they could help the TCF program and get involved. They decided to form : “Friends of TCF” : a forum of like minded people who were keen to get involved with the TCF programs.

Second anniversary of TCF’s Eye hospital at Yola.

Completion Of 10000th Surgery at Calabar Eye Hospital

Dr. Sreedhar completed his 10000th Free Eye Surgery at Calabar on 23rd January, 2008.  The Free Eye Care project at General Hospital, Calabar was started in March 2003

The Governor of Kebbi State, Usman N. Said Dakingari, visited Hafsat Eye Center. He was accompanied by the commissioner, permanent secretary, and other officials of the Ministry of Health.He saw all the facilities and visited the wards, interacted with the patients and the staff as well and were forth coming in his praise and appreciation for the work being done. We discussed with him the future plans for the hospital like extension of wards, OT, patient sheds (he himself saw the patients waiting in the sun outside) among other things. He has in principal agreed for all that we were requesting for. He was told of the Foundation's plans of having an additional surgeon to cope with the overload of patients and the need for additional 2 houses

Ms. Katrin, Managing Director of Norfish Ltd visited Calabar Eye Hospital along with Sigurdur Hreinsson, Bryndis Gudmundsdattir of UDE and Lilja Bjerk Reynisdottir of Norfish Ltd.

Visit of Prof. Andrew Rooney,  ABTI University

Prof. Andrew Rooney Dean of Arts and writing, ABTI University visited Yola Eye Hospital. He commented -
"Great work, great people. Lots of reward for helping people who need it. Good system too, all the way through.”

Visit of Dr. Korie Handwerger, American University of Nigeria

Dr. Korie Handwerger, Asst Professor of Biology, American University of Nigeria also visited Yola Eye hospital. She has initiated an internship program at the eye hospital for her biology students. They will be getting exposure of clinics and will be involved in escorting the patients. Dr Korie also volunteered with the hospital’s new microbiology lab.
She commented- "It is my absolute pleasure to work with all members of this organization, and staff in this important project. Thank you for providing this valuable experience to me and my independent study/ internship students at the American University of Nigeria

Women’s Empowerment – High on TCF’s agenda

One of the important aims of the TCF is to empower the woman in the community. TCF trains 15 to 20 young women to be health attendants every year in Primary health care projects across the country. Young women who have completed their secondary schooling and are unable to continue their education for various reasons get an opportunity of a career as health attendants. Selected by the community, they go through a basic health care training organized by TCF in a School of Health Technology and then in a hospital setting for a period of three months. Subsequently, they then undergo a period of apprenticeship in one of the existing health posts.  Once the training is complete they are posted at a health post in a village where they take care of the basic health care needs of yhe people. All of them are grateful for this opportunity given to them by TCF. Their work reflects their sense of satisfaction and usefulness to society. Whether they are with TCF or elsewhere, we know that they will carry the message of giving their best with a caring attitude. They are now empowered to care for their families and communities.

Newly trained Health Attendants (batch of 2007 – Isu PHC Project in Imo State of Nigeria) in the Amaigbo College of Health Sciences and Technology. Out of almost 100 applicants, 18 were selected and completed the course from June to August 2007. They are now in their apprenticeship training.

Tomi Folarin (batch of 1998 – Eniosa Health Care Project in Ibadan) Sponsored by TCF for CHEW training and is currently supervising the HIV/AIDS (Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission PMTCT) work of TCF in Ibadan. She is now married with 2 children. Tomi says “TCF gave me a career and they also gave me further education and a responsible position. TCF is doing very good for us”.