About BCVI & Our History

Serving the people of Belize for over 20 years.

The Belize Council for the Visually Impaired (BCVI) is a non-profit organisation that aims to improve the quality of life for individuals with visual impairments and reduce the prevalence of blindness through appropriate eye care. BCVI was established in 1981 and in its over 20 years of existence has developed a truly comprehensive eye service. It has successfully developed a range of services that support the needs of blind and visually impaired people whilst also actively working to prevent eye problems that can lead to blindness.

1981 to 1987

A montage of three black and white photos from the early BCVI years.

Old photos
of BCVI in
the beginning.

Founded as a committee of the Belize Red Cross

Formed as an independent organisation.
Registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee.
BCVI fully supported by the Belize Red Cross during this period.
Caribbean Council for the Blind provides support & staff training.
1984 - First full-time Co-ordinator on staff.
1986 - First Regional Field Officer (RFO) on staff, in Belize City, Belize District.
HelpAge support for services for the Elderly.

1988 to 1990

A photo of ladies in colourful dresses standing outdoors, cropped to the shape of Belize.

Belize has a
population of
some 250,000
people. Of these,
it is estimated
that some 1,840
experience a
significant loss
of vision that
renders them
blind or severely
visually impaired.

New funding partners: Co-operation for Development, CBM and Canadian Grant

Integrated Education for children introduced.
Visually Impaired Club for older persons formed in Belize City.
Database of Belizeans who are "legally blind" started.
Two additional RFOs added: Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District & Belmopan, Cayo District.
Primary care activities throughout the country, including training for nurses.
Book Production Unit created; Braille & large-print texts now published.
Private sector employment of first Visually Impaired (VI) persons.

1991 to 1995

Sight Savers International (SSI) gives direct support

Eye-care training of Community Health Workers country-wide.
Early Stimulation programme introduced in cooperation with Hilton Perkins.
Second RFO added in Belize District.
Prevention of Blindness Committee organized first national seminar.
Low-cost production of eye-glasses started with Help the World See support.

1996 to 2000

Looking over a patient, Dr. Rennie performs surgery while an assistant stands by.

International Volunteer
Ophthalmologist, Dr.
Alistair Rennie, performs
a squint surgery in
BCVI's Operating Theatre.

Development of a Comprehensive Eye Care Service

1997 - First annual Summer Camp for VI children.
Development of 3-year planning cycle.
Agreement with Government of Belize and Lions Clubs Belize signed.
Introduction of ophthalmic services.
Advocacy group of young, blind adults formed.
Computer technology & closed-captioned televisions introduced to assist VI students.

2001 to 2004

A close-up, over-the-shoulder photo of a BCVI client sitting at a desk, with hands on a computer keyboard.

A BCVI client learns
how to use a computer
through the Computer
Literacy Programme.

Expansion and consolidation of BCVI's Programmes

In partnership with the International Centre for Eye Health & the Pan American Health Organization, BCVI & SSI start the Glaucoma Project.
BCVI's National Ophthalmic Unit renamed the National Eye Clinic, and a full-time ophthalmologist is employed to provide eye examinations, treatment & perform surgeries.
Increased efficiency by moving the Eye Glass Lab to a recently donated building.
Computer technology for students who are visually impaired expanded with the use of "JAWS" software & personal training.
New funding options explored to ensure sustainability through the next planning period.