Operation Eyesight Universal

Operation Eyesight Universal is a Canadian NGO that has been working for the past 40 years to prevent and eliminate avoidable blindness in developing countries, specifically Ghana, Rwanda, Kenya, Zambia, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. We have restored the sight of

2 million people and treated 33 million others for potentially blinding conditions. This is accomplished by partnering with eye clinics, hospitals and ophthalmologists in developing countries overseas to  help them provide the best in equipment, human resources and infrastructure and restoring sight programs to meet the needs of the poor. As per the World Health Organization, there are approximately 37 million people who are blind and every minute a child goes blind. Yet most of the blindness that exists is completely avoidable. Operation Eyesight Universal is working hard to assure that the poorest of the poor receive the gift of sight and have their independence and dignity restored.

As the Fund Development Officer at Operation Eyesight Universal, Ekua Kariuki raises funds, awareness of the organization and maximizes its relationships with donors, prospects and volunteers.

She has worked and volunteered with a number of NGO’s over the years, has a degree in French and Italian from the University of Toronto and is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Topics include:

• Avoidable blindness in developing countries and it’s impact on children and their parents

Preferred grade levels:

Grades 9 to 12

Speaker fee:

•   half-day presentation $100
• full-day presentation is $200

Speaker f ees help to cover the cost of preventing childhood blindness in developing countries by providing eye exams, Vitamin A supplements and medication required to maintain healthy eyesight.

Contact information:

Operation Eyesight Universal

2100 Ellesmere Rd. Suite 323

Scarborough, ON M1H 3B7

Phone: 416 438-7280

E-mail: kariukie@operationeyesight.

Website: www.operationeyesight.ca

This posting has been reviewed by the Peel District School Board. This posting is provided as a resource to students and teachers--it is not intended to be an endorsement by the Peel District School Board of any specific organization or program.