Computer Management Information System Installed in Mexico

IEF has been working with the Instituto de la Vision in Mexico to install a new Computer Management Information System (CMIS) in their eye clinics. The system, developed in Spanish by Visualiza in Guatemala with IEF support, is designed to improve the efficiency of all aspects of managing the eye clinic. Recently, the initial installation and training was completed at the clinic in Tabasco, Mexico. IEF's Sustainability Consultant Raheem Rahmathullah says that "..the installation is going smoothly and the clinic will be better able to manage and analyze its patient services in the future." Clinic staff are shown reviewing patient records manually.

A Lifetime of Service – Dr. Lakshmi Rahmathullah

For the Rahmathullah family from India, service to others is a way of life. IEF’s Sustainability Specialist Raheem Rahmathullah learned well the lessons of working for a better life for those less fortunate. Soon to turn 80, his mother Dr. Lakshmi Rahmathullah has striven for over a half century to benefit the poor, particularly women and children. Early in her life, she was influenced by Mother Teresa under whom she studied for a year. A general physician still practicing in Kariapatti, India, she is recognized internationally as an authority on micronutrients, particularly vitamin A. Her work has earned her many honors, yet she remains committed to serving the people. Her son Raheem furthers her legacy through his work with IEF to expand eye care in the developing world by improving the efficiency and effectiveness of eye clinics and hospitals. The IEF is proud of its association with Dr. Rahmathullah and extend the warmest of birthday greetings.

A Mother's Look....A Mother's Hope

There is magic in the look of a mother gazing upon her children. There is love, and there is hope. In too much of the world, there is also a look of concern. Living in difficult conditions, there is much to worry about, especially their child's sight and health.

Your gift can ease this worry for so many mothers and their children. IEF helps ensure children get the treatment and surgery they need to keep their sight...for a lifetime. Partnering with 24 eye care institutions in 15 countries, IEF is helping close the gaps in eye care in areas of great need. By adopting IEF's sustainability model, our partners are saving the sight of more children than ever before.

As we remember and honor our Mothers, please make your contribution to a brighter future, one filled with hope with and the gift of sight.

Celebrate life, celebrate sight...for a lifetime. Thank you!!!

Volvo Car Raffle - Benefits 2 non-profits

IEF Raffle benefits not one, but two non-profits.

The International Eye Foundation(IEF) held a raffle to raise funds for eye care in developing countries. If all the tickets were sold, the prize was a Volvo Station Wagon. if less were sold then the winner received 50% of all the income from the raffle.

In a surprise outcome, the winning ticket was not only sold by a non-profit, IEF, but was also purchased by a non-profit, the Marietta Restoration Associates (MRA). Pictured on the right is IEF's Finance Director, Edward Henderson, holding the basket of tickets as the manager of the Kensington Branch of the Chevy Chase Bank draws the winning ticket. Seen on the left is IEF's Development Director, Wendy Codd presenting a check for the winnings to the MRA President, Raymond McKeeby.

The money raised from the raffle has been put to good use. Restoring sight around the world, and restoring an historic building in the USA - the Vesta Furnace in Marietta, PA.

Help Rebuild Eye Care in Devastated Haiti

The devastating earthquake in Haiti has destroyed much of the fragile medical resources available in this extremely poor country. We need your help to rebuild eye care services in Haiti -- providing critical instruments and supplies, replacing lost and damaged equipment, and supporting national efforts for emergency and long term eye care services.

Please help the people of Haiti. Click Here to contribute -- restoring vision, and hope.

Thank You!!

Victoria M. Sheffield

President & CEO

Make A Contribution

Gates Award Nomination

The International Eye Foundation – Gates Global Health Award nominee.

IEF was nominated for the 2009 Gates Award for contributions to improving global health.

It was a great honor to receive a nomination for this prestigious award, however, the award for 2009 went to another worthy institution – we congratulate them on being selected.

The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine — the first academic institution to win the annual prize and the first British winner — was chosen by a jury of international health leaders for its efforts to build health systems and train health personnel in low-income and post-conflict countries while researching diseases that particularly affect disadvantaged people, including malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS.

Cap Haitien, Haiti

I just returned from a recent trip to Cap-Haitien, Haiti on behalf of VOSH/PA to assess how eye care is provided in Cap-Haitien in the North Department, Haiti. Dr. Guerline Roney and Dr. Marlyse Dominique, ophthalmologists at the Hospital Justinien, are providing tremendous leadership and have dramatically increased the number of persons served over a short time period at the hospital. The number of patients examined increased from 2,270 in 2006 to 16,715 in 2008 and over the same time period the number of surgeries performed increased from 67 to 682. Visits were made to the other eye care providers and optical shops in the city and an outreach screening clinic was observed too. Many visitors and organizations support Dr. Roney and Dr. Dominique and deserve recognition.

John Barrows, IEF Director of Programs

Hospital Justinien

Dr. Marlyse Dominique

Dr. Guerline Roney

Outreach screening

Down town Cap-Haitien

Painting of an eye chart

Gender and Eye Health

Leading US-based eye care NGOs held a briefing, “Seeing Women: Taking on Gender Inequities in Global Blindness Prevention,” at the National Press Club in Washington, DC on April 30, 2009 exploring links between gender and blindness, poverty, disability and education. NGOs and groups advancing the rights of women presented case studies and effective strategies that work in improving access to eye care services for women and girls

“Globally, women bear a greater burden of blindness than men,” said Victoria Sheffield, President, International Eye Foundation. “Clear evidence from developing countries shows that women receive fewer eye care services in part because eye care programs are not tailored to meet the needs of women and second, cultural and social barriers exist at the community level.”