Helen Keller International fights trachoma by tackling womens poverty illiteracy.

Trachoma which is the leading infectious cause of preventable blindness is closely linked to poverty isolation unhealthy living conditions and lack of potable water. In addition illiteracy prevents people especially women from taking care of their health. Thus Helen Keller International in cooperation with the Moroccan government local nongovernmental and international donors implemented the Morocco functional literacy project in Zagora from 1999 to 2001. As a result 8200 women were able to achieve functional literacy which meant they were able to assimilate health knowledge understand nutrition and trachoma control and improve their health conditions. In January 2002 the project received $150000 from the World Bank to continue to integrate literacy and sustainable development. In addition a vocational training project will soon begin with 1500 of the women who have received functional literacy.