2011
2011

Until year 2011 there was no pediatric eye facility in Burundi. The eye surgeries done in children were either done during eye camps (outreaches) organized by visiting ophthalmologists or in neighboring countries (Rwanda or Tanzania).

2012
Mar-Nov 2012

Two paedriatic outreach activities organized by KCCO and sponsored by SEVA CANADA highlighted the needs and started to create the capacity to develop and implement a National Child Eye Health Program.

November 2012

After the obvious finding of the need to establish a Child Eye Health Tertiary Facility (CTSOE); all stakeholders involved in the surgery campaigns and under the inspiration and encouragement of Dr Levi Kandeke have agreed to create a permanent program which will have to find partners to support their activities.

December 2012

Launch of CTSOE with a partnership of the management of CHUK in Bujumbura agreeing to host the program. A long process to acquire equipment, instruments and consumables started with the help of our first partner Heart to Heart Foundation (HtH) based in Seoul South Korea.

2013
2013

The first year was for to provide the necessary skills to the team at CTSOE (pediatric ophthalmology, anesthesia, low vision, counselling, etc.) and to the OCOs for patient identification and follow up.

2014
2014

CTSOE with HtH sponsor upgraded the CHUK infrastructure to accommodate the kids coming for treatment.

2015
2015

CTSOE undertake an active case-finding program to identify children in need of surgical, low vision, other eye care.

2016
2016

HtH left and Seva Canada and Seva Foundation through KCCO took over and are main supporters.

2017
2017
Official Launch

CTSOE officially launched by Ministry of Interior of Burundi.

2020
2020

Segal Family Foundation joined our partners.