{"id":28359,"date":"2025-06-05T11:59:29","date_gmt":"2025-06-05T11:59:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ullsdelmon.org\/?post_type=entrevistes&p=28359"},"modified":"2025-11-27T12:00:03","modified_gmt":"2025-11-27T12:00:03","slug":"zeinabu-dah-assistant-coordinator-of-the-eyes-of-the-sahara-project","status":"publish","type":"entrevistes","link":"https:\/\/www.ullsdelmon.org\/en\/interviews\/zeinabu-dah-assistant-coordinator-of-the-eyes-of-the-sahara-project\/","title":{"rendered":"Zeinabu Dah, assistant coordinator of the Eyes of the Sahara project"},"content":{"rendered":"

Zeinabu<\/span> is 30 years old and was born in <\/span>Boujdour<\/span>, where <\/span>she<\/span> lives. She has a degree in Media and Communication, specializing in Journalism, which she studied in Algeria. Today, she is part of the team of the Eyes of the world Foundation<\/span>, in the Eyes of the Sahara project, which works to improve visual health in the Sahrawi camps. From the field, <\/span>Zeinabu<\/span> brings her experience, <\/span>energy<\/span> and enormous sensitivity so that the project not only <\/span>advances, but<\/span> also transforms lives.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How did you get involved in this project, and what motivated you to join? What are your current responsibilities?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>
<\/span><\/h5>\n

It all started when Eyes of the world was looking for an administrator for its new project in Bechar. At the time, I was still working at the Ministry of Public Health in that same area, managing evacuations. That\u2019s<\/span> when the project began to take shape<\/span>, in collaboration with the Ministry and the ophthalmology hospital. When I saw the job opening<\/span><\/span>, I felt I had to give it a try. I applied for the interview… and a few days later they called me to start.<\/p>\n

Over time, what began as an administrative position turned into something much bigger. Today, I am the assistant coordinator of the Eyes of the Sahara project and represent Eyes of the <\/span>w<\/span>orld on the ground, together with Mar\u00eda Tavera, the project coordinator. <\/span>I\u2019m<\/span> in charge of planning the work of the local team, <\/span>monitoring<\/span> activities, promoting internal communication, coordinating with the ophthalmology hospital, managing payments, and ensuring that all project resources are used appropriately.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s<\/span> a demanding job, yes, but <\/span>above all, <\/span>it\u2019s<\/span> deeply human. Every task we carry out, no matter how small it may seem, has a real impact on people\u2019s lives. And that, for me, changes everything.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is your role, and what kind of meetings do you hold to ensure the project runs smoothly?<\/span><\/span><\/h5>\n

My work involves closely <\/span>monitoring<\/span> several key areas such as gender, statistics, stock management, and activities in <\/span>Bechar<\/span>. When necessary, I follow up daily, and each week we plan tasks with the heads of each area to make sure everything is moving forward as expected. Each team member also sends a monthly report, which helps us <\/span>maintain<\/span> organized and transparent oversight of all our work.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>
<\/span><\/p>\n

In-person meetings are essential for this coordination to work. I meet regularly with the local team because direct contact creates a space of trust where we can share <\/span>ideas, resolve doubts, and improve the group dynamic. These meetings strengthen collective commitment and allow us to respond more effectively to day-to-day challenges.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>
<\/span><\/p>\n

I also hold meetings with representatives from the Ministry of Public Health, such as the Evacuation and Human Resources departments. These are key encounters for <\/span>maintaining<\/span> good institutional relations, coordinating joint actions, and ensuring our interventions are aligned with local structures. In a project like this, teamwork\u2014both within and outside the organization\u2014is essential.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How is the daily coordination with the team and what kind of challenges do you face, both human and administrative, in such a complex context?<\/h5>\n

Daily<\/span> and <\/span>weekly<\/span> coordination<\/span> is<\/span> constant<\/span>. <\/span><\/span>We use tools like Teams and email, but the most valuable thing <\/span>remains<\/span> direct communication. Staying in continuous contact with both the field team and the central team allows us to respond quickly and adapt to changes that arise <\/span>almost daily<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

One of the most <\/span>common challenges<\/span> is working with people who are <\/span>very different<\/span> from each other\u2014<\/span>different ways<\/span> of understanding work or dealing with complex personal circumstances. In those cases, I try to listen carefully, put myself in their shoes, and provide what each person needs to do their job the best they can. Empathy not only improves <\/span>coexistence, but<\/span> also strengthens the team\u2019s commitment.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But <\/span>it\u2019s<\/span> not just about human challenges. There are administrative ones that require a lot of concentration and patience. Managing payments on the ground, finding suppliers who accept wire transfers, or correcting frequent invoice errors are just a few examples. On top of that, banking procedures in <\/span>Tindouf<\/span> are usually slow, and regulations change without notice, which complicates things even more. <\/span>That\u2019s<\/span> why, together with the coordinator, we review everything very carefully\u2014because we know that every successful transaction means <\/span>care<\/span> for someone who needs it.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And then there are <\/span>the more<\/span> painful challenges. There are eye diseases that cannot be treated in Algeria, like corneal transplants or certain tumours. Seeing people arrive with the hope of a solution and not being able to offer it is the hardest part. I hope that one day we can open a patient housing center in Spain, to evacuate those who have no alternative here. <\/span><\/span>It\u2019s<\/span> not<\/span> possible<\/span> yet<\/span>, <\/span>but<\/span> I <\/span>remain<\/span> hopeful<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What makes this project special for you, how do you handle pressure, and what real impact do you see <\/span>in<\/span> people\u2019s lives?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h5>\n

This is the first project <\/span>I\u2019ve<\/span> worked on, and honestly, I <\/span>couldn\u2019t<\/span> have started in a better place. <\/span>It\u2019s<\/span> been a transformative experience, both professionally and personally. Knowing that what we do has a direct impact on people\u2019s lives fills me with motivation and purpose.<\/span><\/p>\n

As with any committed work, there are moments of intense pressure and <\/span>workload. In those cases, I try to remain calm, act patiently, and take each decision seriously. <\/span>I believe a calm mind<\/span> is the best tool to face daily challenges.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Working on this project has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. I never imagined I would become part of a <\/span>foundation like<\/span> Eyes of the <\/span>w<\/span>orld, dedicated to something so essential and human\u2014restoring sight to those who have lost it or are about to lose it. <\/span>It\u2019s<\/span> a noble and necessary <\/span>cause, and<\/span> being part of it makes me feel happy and deeply proud.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Seeing how a person recovers their sight thanks to the work we do is something that cannot be easily explained in words. It is an emotion that goes beyond the professional. As a Sahrawi, helping my people, who have been living in refugee conditions for more than 50 years, is also a form of resistance and hope.<\/p>\n

Over the years, <\/span>I\u2019ve<\/span> witnessed<\/span> many stories, but one <\/span>I\u2019ll<\/span> never forget happened in 2022. A woman arrived at the <\/span>Rabuni<\/span> clinic completely blind, accompanied by her children. She was diagnosed with cataracts in both eyes and sent to <\/span>Bechar<\/span> for surgery. A month later, she came back\u2026 alone. She walked on her own and came to register. At first, I <\/span>didn\u2019t<\/span> recognize her. She approached me and said, \u201cDon\u2019t you remember me?\u201d She told me her story, and I <\/span>couldn\u2019t<\/span> help but get touched. The woman who once <\/span>couldn\u2019t<\/span> take a step without help could now see again, to move around independently. She had regained not just her sight, but her independence and hope. That is the real impact of this project. And <\/span>living it<\/span> from the inside is a privilege that stays with me every day.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In a context like yours, with so many challenges, what gives you hope or keeps you going?<\/span><\/span><\/h5>\n

What gives me strength is knowing that <\/span>I\u2019m<\/span> helping my own community, and that what we do has a real impact. Despite the difficulties, seeing the results and knowing that my work serves a concrete purpose motivates me every day. It makes me feel useful, and for me, <\/span>that\u2019s<\/span> enough to keep going.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":28353,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"class_list":["post-28359","entrevistes","type-entrevistes","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nZeinabu Dah, assistant coordinator of the Eyes of the Sahara project - Eyes of the world<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ullsdelmon.org\/en\/interviews\/zeinabu-dah-assistant-coordinator-of-the-eyes-of-the-sahara-project\/\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.ullsdelmon.org\\\/en\\\/interviews\\\/zeinabu-dah-assistant-coordinator-of-the-eyes-of-the-sahara-project\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.ullsdelmon.org\\\/en\\\/interviews\\\/zeinabu-dah-assistant-coordinator-of-the-eyes-of-the-sahara-project\\\/\",\"name\":\"Zeinabu Dah, assistant coordinator of the Eyes of the Sahara project - 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