BCVI has grown by leaps and bounds since it was founded in the early 80's and today they provide several essential services to the visually impaired, including everything from free eye tests to counseling and life training for the blind. And for the sighted, it's also a great place to get affordable eye glasses. Today we learned more about the role they play in the society as a non-profit organization that advocates for the visually impaired.

Carla Musa, Executive Director, BCVI
"Today we were releasing our 2015 annual report and so in addition to that, we're celebrating our 35 years of service to the people of Belize. We were very excited to share not only what we did last year but our various programs and how everything connects and why this service is so important."

Emanuel Pech
"Talk to us about the importance of having this set of services in Belize."

Carla Musa, Executive Director, BCVI
"BCVI is the only organization in the entire country that helps people who are blind or visually impaired. our primary eye care program is the first point of entry for any patient accessing and there's absolutely no fee to see the doctor in that program, because we are targeting people who need an eye exam, who can't afford private prices, who can't afford expensive glasses and encouraging them to come in. we also have a national diabetic retinopathy program so anyone who is diagnosed with diabetes who is not seeing an ophthalmologist should come in for the free screening services that we offer as well."

Emanuel Pech
"It's a nonprofit organization, so how does BCVI come up with the funds to really provide the services that they do."

Joan Musa, Executive President, BCVI
"As I said in the beginning it was voluntary. We'd just do cake sales, BBQ sales, but we realized that that wasn't going to be enough. At that time there was far more interest in persons with disabilities and we got international funding to start many of our programs. However, last year we lost our main funders, Sight Savers International, who actually were instrumental in founding the organization as they left the Caribbean area to concentrate more on the African countries. So we depend very much on fees for services. We've got a small contribution from the government, national health insurance would provide some services through that and also for fundraising. So we very much appreciate anybody that can donate towards our work."

But apart from cheap and affordable, they also are the only organization that provides life skills training for the blind. We spoke a student who learnt how to read through the use of braille.

Maria Cal, BCVI Patient
"It's not the end of the world, I can still show people who I am, and I read in my class as well at school."

Emanuel Pech
"How did you learn to read?"

Maria Cal, BCVI Patient
"Well my teacher was Miss Lisa, because at first in Std. 1 and Std. 2, I was stuck, I couldn't even read a word, not a letter I could read. I was not good at reading, but then I juts practiced and practiced until one day I got better at it."

Emanuel Pech
"Now you like it?"

Maria Cal, BCVI Patient
"Yes, I love it."

Carla Musa, Executive Director, BCVI
"I think that what happens is that a lot of people with a diagnosis like that juts lose hope. Part of our mission is to ensure that even those people who cannot get services from us in the eye care or eye health program are given an opportunity for counselling, for training and how to use a cane, and how to adapt a new lifestyle as being blind. That is something that we feel is extremely important to the success of that individual and of our society."

BCVI was established in 1981.