EYECARE FOR THE RURAL POOR

wherever we go even in remote barangays we have many come for vision services

EyeCare WeCare Foundation for the last 6 years has received donated eyeglasses from the Nothwest Kiwanis clubs SOS Program. on a continual basis.  Cleaned and graded eyeglasses have been received from the Northwest Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center. The rest of the donated eyeglasses have come from local Lions Clubs, local Rotary Clubs, and many many individuals.

New "close out" frames and uncut lenses from optical labs and suppliers have also been useful. We received over 15,000 new frames and 30 cases of uncut lenses that were donated by Carl Zeiss Vision in April. They will be very useful when we have our optical lab operational. Hopefully we can have it funded and built by June of 2008.

The plastic bags that the eyeglasses are placed in after the power has been determined and graded  have been donated by a wholesale optical lab, Vision Craft Inc,  in Yakima, Washington.

The optical equipment and optometry instrument were donated by independent doctors of optometry as well as optical suppliers. The Major donors have been Dr. Harold Bircumshaw, Dr. Steve Wells, Dr. Milt McCrum,  Dr. Michael Woods,  Mr. Paul Caletti,  Mr  Keith Meadowcraft, Dr. Scott Beasley, Dr Shelby Robinson and Dr. Deloris Frairie As the foundation grows, it will need more and more instruments, equipment, supplies and donated  eyeglasses.

Other Medical Equipment and supplies has been donated by Dr. Paul Chung at Pacific Cataract Laser Institute in Chehalis, Washington and by Paddon Eye Clinic in Medford, Oregon.

Alcon Laboratories in Fort Worth, Texas have donated in date eye medications for the latest mission June 2007 --- Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. 

                The final outcome is smiles and a great change in quality of life when vision is restored

The Philippines has around 80 Million people and contains some of the world poorest population, particularly in the remote rural areas. Those areas have very little or no access at all to quality health care. Early cataracts are quite common, actually the 4th highest incidence in the world. Diabetes and diabetic retinopathies are very common. Retinitis Pigmentosa is seen in the Philippines at a very high rate. The World Health Organization rates the Philippines ---especially remote rural areas of the Philippines, as some of the highest rates in the World for low vision. River Blindness (Onchocerciasis) although is very rare, there have  been cases reported in the Philippines. The Foundation also educates the people  the recipients  by counseling and providing them with written brochures.

While almost all organizations that have done charitable vision care, in the Philippines, almost all have concentrated their efforts the large cities. The Foundation is targeting the remote islands and the remote rural areas to bring the poor people free vision care. Kids even thought they are poor, they always have a happy smile that always tugs at your heart.

Send mail to info@eyecarewecare.org with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: 12/13/07