CAUSES

The cornerstone of our foundation’s mission is to deliver cost-effective, sustainable solutions to combat preventable blindness and promote equitable access to eye care for all. Central to achieving this vision is our innovative "train and retain" model, which focuses on empowering local talent to serve their communities. By investing in the education and professional development of individuals from underserved regions, we aim to build a self-sustaining ecosystem of eye care providers who are deeply connected to the communities they serve. This approach not only addresses the critical shortage of trained eye care professionals in developing nations but also ensures culturally sensitive, locally relevant care that fosters trust and long-term impact. 

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As a significant step toward realizing this mission, we launched our scholarship program, effective January 1, 2020. This initiative is designed to support promising young individuals committed to addressing the growing burden of preventable blindness in their home regions. Our inaugural cohort of scholars includes Jahira and Daniel, who have travelled to Guatemala for two and a half years to pursue intensive training in optometry, and Norma, who attended medical school in Costa Rica, followed by a residency in ophthalmology. For the duration of their programs, all tuition fees, room, and board were fully covered, allowing these students to focus entirely on their studies and professional development without financial burden. 

Jahira and Daniel are already back in Belize serving their communities. Since the program inception, we have committed to 7 students who are at variable stages in their journey. The value of these scholarships extends far beyond financial support. Jahira and Daniel and now Randie are trained to conduct comprehensive eye screenings, diagnose conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, and provide primary eye care services. Their ability to identify early-stage eye diseases will be critical in preventing vision loss, particularly in remote and underserved areas where access to specialists is scarce. Norma’s journey to becoming an ophthalmologist represents an equally vital investment in building local capacity. As a future specialist, she will be equipped to perform advanced treatments, including laser therapies, surgical interventions, and management of complex eye conditions. Her expertise will complement the work of optometrists like Jahira, Daniel and Randie, creating a seamless continuum of care from screening to treatment. 

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The "train and retain" model is designed to maximize sustainability and impact. Unlike short-term medical missions, which can provide temporary relief but often fail to address systemic gaps, our approach ensures that communities have access to ongoing, high-quality eye care. To ensure the longevity of this initiative, we are committed to making these scholarships an ongoing program. Our goal is to create a pipeline of skilled eye care professionals who can serve remote and underserved areas across developing nations. By expanding the scholarship program, we aim to support more students in fields such as optometry, ophthalmology, and ophthalmic technology, tailoring the training to the specific needs of each region. 

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By sustaining and scaling this initiative, we are laying the foundation for a world where preventable blindness is no longer a barrier to opportunity, dignity, and quality of life. Thank you for joining us in this noble effort to create lasting change through education, empowerment, and equitable access to eye care. Together, we can transform our vision of a world free from preventable blindness into a reality.