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Optometry Giving Sight, VOSH partner to eliminate blindness, impaired vision
Optometry Giving Sight announced that it has formed a cooperative partnership with VOSH International to enhance optometry’s ability to provide sustainable vision care services to people in need of refractive error correction and low vision services.
The two groups signed a Memorandum of Understanding recognizing Optometry Giving Sight’s special expertise in raising funds for programs to support the goals of VISION 2020: The Right to Sight in the area of uncorrected refractive error and VOSH International’s activities in the design, implementation and execution of such programs.
“VOSH has made a big difference in the world with its short-term missions,” VOSH President Larry Hookway said. “Now that world attention has started to include uncorrected refractive error, we have a chance to shift our focus to more sustainable systems. This will involve more efforts to train locals to care for their communities and establish clinics with permanent clinic staffs.
“VOSH will still be doing short-term missions, but now we will have the opportunity to get involved in other ways,” he continued. “I encourage each of our chapters to support Optometry Giving Sight’s fundraising campaigns.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Optometry Giving Sight will allocate a percentage of total donor funds raised in the United States to VOSH International for sustainable vision care projects that build local capacity and infrastructure. In addition, VOSH International will be able to apply for grant funds from the general grant pool when they are announced.
“Working cooperatively will vastly enhance the activities, profiles and reputations of both organizations and will permit access to shared resources,” Optometry Giving Sight chair Victor Connors, OD, said. “Our partners at the International Centre for Eyecare Education, the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness and the World Council of Optometry are all very excited to be working with VOSH International as they develop long-term educational and clinical efforts in Central and South America.“
Dr. Connors said that Optometry Giving Sight had also agreed to award a seat on its National Committee to VOSH International, and VOSH International had agreed to award a seat on its Board of Directors to Optometry Giving Sight.
Optometry Giving Sight can be reached at www.givingsight.org. VOSH International can be reached at www.vosh.org.
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