Protecting a Community from Onchocerciasis with Preventive Medication
When Patrice Messolo was a boy, his grandfather and uncle became very sick. They both lost their vision and developed skin lesions on their legs due to what Patrice would later learn was onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness. Without treatment, this neglected tropical disease can cause disfiguring skin conditions and permanent blindness. Seeing what […]
Sierra Leone’s Fight Against Lymphatic Filariasis: Progress, Challenges, and Hope
This story was originally published on USAID’s Act to End Neglected Tropical Diseases | West Program website. It has been republished here with permission. Meet Kebie Koroma, a 14-year-old from the village of Kakamathor, located in Bombali district in the north of Sierra Leone. At the age of two, Kebie’s parents noticed something unusual on […]
Speaking Technically: Investing in the Fight Against Neglected Tropical Diseases
We recently spoke with Dr. Angela Weaver, Vice President for Neglected Tropical Diseases. Angela leads Helen Keller Intl’s work to control and eliminate these diseases – specifically lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis), river blindness (onchocerciasis), schistosomiasis, intestinal worms (soil-transmitted helminths), and trachoma. Often called “diseases of poverty”, this group of parasitic and bacterial diseases can cause blindness, […]
Preventive Treatment Helps Build Healthy Futures for Children in Sierra Leone
Nurse Aminata Sama always dreamed of helping her community stay healthy. She thought her work would focus on helping people address minor health concerns and never imagined she would contribute to eliminating a devastating disease from Sierra Leone. One of three children, Aminata’s father was a security guard and her mother traded local palm oil. […]
3 Things I’m Optimistic About in 2024
Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence. Helen Keller On January 1st, I stepped into some very big shoes as Helen Keller Intl’s new President and Chief Executive Officer. Together, we are 20 countries strong, helping more than 70 million children and family members create lasting […]
Building Upon Our Legacy of Health, Nutrition, and Vision
Over the past several decades, Helen Keller Intl has continued to expand our ability to help people around the world create lasting change in their own lives. Today, we reach more than 70 million children and family members across 20 countries with the essential building blocks of sound health, good nutrition, and clear vision. We […]
2023 Year in Review: Forces for Good [Photo Essay]
Every day, members of the Helen Keller Intl community are choosing to be forces for good. Community health heroes, entrepreneurs, parents, youth, and Helen Keller staff work tirelessly to help improve health, nutrition, and vision for people in their communities, countries, and around the world. We’re highlighting some of the incredible contributions made by members […]
How Partnership Led to Eliminating an Endemic Blinding Disease in Mali
Earlier this year, the World Health Organization announced Mali as the 17th country to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem. This is a milestone more than two decades in the making. Trachoma was once pervasive in nearly every region of the country, putting nearly 10 million people at risk of blindness. Eliminating such a […]
Helen Keller Intl joins Partners at the Reaching Last Mile Forum in Commitment to Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases
Our co-founder Helen Keller’s words “alone we can do so little; together we can do so much” continue to guide and inspire our mission. Together, partners across the world have made tremendous progress in tackling debilitating, neglected diseases, but too often, young children have been left behind. Children are at the heart of Helen Keller […]
Looking Bravely: Eliminating Blinding Trachoma in Mali
We recently spoke with Benoit Dembélé who is our Regional Technical Advisor for Neglected Tropical Diseases in West Africa. Benoit helps Helen Keller Intl’s teams across Africa ensure quality treatment to prevent and eliminate neglected tropical diseases. Most recently, Benoit and his team worked alongside the Malian government and partners The Carter Center and Sightsavers […]
