A better life through better sight. This is what Essilor Vision Foundation (EVF) India, together with the Association for Rural Community Development (ARCOD) and India Vision Institute (IVI), strived to bring to children suffering from HIV in the Krishnagiri district of Tamil Nadu.
EVF India, ARCOD and IVI organized a vision screening event for more than 300 children and their 200 caregivers. Some 160 diagnosed with refractive errors were given free glasses to correct their vision.
This first-time screening event was part of ARCOD’s Children of Krishnagiri program to better the lives of children suffering from HIV by improving their general well-being as well as access to healthcare and education.
The Essilor Vision Foundation works to reach the most underprivileged and at risk communities.
“The Essilor Vision Foundation works to reach the most underprivileged and at risk communities. To do so, it is critical to work closely with our partners so we can scale up access to eye care and serve different segments of the underserved population. We are very happy to be working with ARCOD and IVI on this impactful initiative,” said Jayanth Bhuvaraghan, Chief Mission Officer, Essilor International.
Tie ups and collaborations such as these help us to multiply the benefits for the people we work with as well as expand our outreach.
Having collaborative like-minded partners also makes for a greater impact. “IVI is very pleased to be able to work with EVF and ARCOD on this worthwhile initiative,” said Vinod Daniel, CEO, IVI.
Since EVF India’s launch in 2013, it has worked with many partners including government institutions and non-profit organizations to provide eye tests and free glasses to more than 14,00,000 and 140,000 people respectively.
Besides external partnerships, volunteerism is just as important – a successful screening program is reliant on supportive volunteers, many of whom are Essilor employees.
The Association for Rural Community Development (ARCOD), a voluntary organization, works towards achieving social, economic, political, and health empowerment of women and children in areas through sustainable programs.