Nearsighted children in poverty have hope!

 

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The problem:  

Thousands of children born into extreme poverty are nearsighted and can’t afford options.  This has devastating effects on their future and families.  

How I am helping and how you can join me:  

Working alongside an accomplished missionary/inventor, I have helped to simplify and improve his most recent idea.   The result is a sustainable process that impacts both the children and the adults in the local community.  It is designed to be started within any poor community, thus, creating jobs and visual aids/glasses for the nearsighted children (.40cents per pair of glasses!) 

All parts of this kit can be purchased nearly anywhere in the world with the exception of two fixtures that will be available for free download (diy) shortly.  The total estimated cost of all of the tools: $230 us dollars.  The materials needed are available almost everywhere; clear acrylic plastic scrap and electric fence wire (spool).  For as little as $300, a small group could be producing glasses/visual aids for nearsighted children!

You can help by donating whatever you can.  

Why am I so passionate?  

My inspiration comes from Eugene Koning, an 89 year old retired Optometrist with 40 years of experience helping the poor.  He is responsible for this new project!  His dream/passion matches my heart.  

Where are the people who need help?  

India.  

Why India?  

Projects Eugene developed in the 70's are still used today. Years ago, after a training class in India, the instructor teaching one of Eugene's processes relayed a question he was given by some women from Tata Motors who formed the "Tish Wish" group.  

The question?   

"Can this man (Eugene) help the thousands of nearsighted children living in poverty without options?"   Eugene has kept that question close to his heart for years.  

What I need to make this a success:  

I have taken a leap of faith and have committed to a number of conferences and meetings in India starting this January to promote this eye glasses process for nearsighted children.  These conferences and meetings are for helping those in poverty.  I will be teaching others this new process so that they can teach it to those in rural environments/villages.  In order to meet with Eugene's past contacts and new ones in four seperate cities the entire trip will be three weeks long.  

I believe that by asking for help it will bring awareness and timely solutions to those in need.  The power of many is far greater than Eugene and I.   

We need to increase our network and connect the dots.  I know so many want to help but feel they can’t possibly make a difference… you can!  If you know of someone that can help in any way please contact me.  

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All funds will be used directly relating to this project. 

•  Air travel         
• New Passport
• Visa
• Train tickets, 2 in country flights
• Daily Transportation
• Food
• Confrence costs
• Lodging
• Materials for confrence display
• Tools for conference display
• Direction packet development/writing
• Fixtures
• A portion of my time
• Shipping
• Tool & material costs so that I can sponsor as many as I can

The whole story : 

It all began as a chance encounter as I offered a stranger help in a Menards parking lot.  

Eugene Koning was struggling to load materials into his car when we first met.  Something about that ten minute talk immediately made us both realize that our encounter was divine.

Since then we have become quick friends sharing many passions.  He is a retired Optometrist with 40 years of helping the poor where as I am an experienced, Industrial designer/photographer with a lifelong desire to help others.  

One of Eugene’s most impactful projects has been making reading glasses for about $1.00.  He developed a fixture that is used to hand make the frames.  Purchasing the lenses in bulk and as blanks allows them to be cut in half helping materials go further. 

At 89 and faced with a recent health scare, Eugene is pained by the fact that he cannot continue this project himself.  We know it is possible that I can complete this project and that it can be done so within Eugene's lifetime. He has said that he is more excited by this project than any other!

 

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I believe this project to help nearsighted children is the first of a lifelong calling for me to identify, create and help implement solutions for those in need anywhere.  

With your help I can begin this journey.