Vision for a Nation Foundation
Vision for a Nation Foundation (VFAN) is an international non-governmental organisation that supports health ministries to provide local eye care services.[1]
In its first nationwide initiative, it is providing everyone in Rwanda with local access to eye care and affordable glasses.[2]
The Foundation was established in 2011 by James Chen, a Hong Kong-based venture philanthropist who is also the founder of international eye-care initiative Clearly.[3] The foundation is based in the United Kingdom and operates in Rwanda.[4]
Operations[edit]
VFAN registered as a non-governmental organisation in Rwanda in 2011 and launched a national programme in partnership with Rwanda's Ministry of Health in 2012.[5]
The programme aims to build locally accessible eye care services across Rwanda through the country's network of local health centres.[6]
In 2015, VFAN launched an outreach campaign to bring eye care services to people across Rwanda. Teams of trained nurses will visit each of Rwanda’s 15,000 villages to provide eye treatment and affordable glasses.[7]
It has been funded by UBS Optimus Foundation, the United States Agency for International Development, the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID) and the Chen Yet Sen Family Foundation.[8]
Awards[edit]
- 2016 – Winner: “International Aid and Development”, Civil Society Charity Awards[9]
- 2016 – Winner: “Rising Chief Executive”, Third Sector Excellence Awards[10]
- 2016 – Finalist: “Big Impact”, Third Sector Excellence Awards[11]
- 2016 – Finalist: “Small Charity, Big Achiever”, Third Sector Excellence Awards[12]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "Providing Vision for a Nation". "AVPN". Retrieved on 25 January 2017.
- ^ Elizabeth Dearborn Hughes. "Rwanda's Top 12 Accomplishment". "Medium". 11 May 2016
- ^ "James Chen: The Vision Man". Forbes. 2016-05-20.
- ^ Nicholas Hellen "£1 glasses to help Africa see". "The Sunday Times". 2 November 2014.
- ^ John Mbaraga. "Sponsored: Vision for a Nation village outreach program benefit ordinary citizens". "The NewTimes". 29 November 2016.
- ^ Alexandre Mars. "Doing Well by Doing Good: An Interview with James Chen, Founder of Clearly". "The Huffington Post". 7 June 2016.
- ^ "A visionary quest to bring eye care to Rwanda's 15,000 villages – in pictures". "The Guardian". 8 October 2015.
- ^ "Vision For a Nation receives funding from USAID". "IAPB". 5 December 2016.
- ^ "The Charity Awards 2016". "Charities Aid Foundation". Retrieved on 23 January 2017.
- ^ "Vision for a Nation Foundation Chief Executive wins Top Charity Award". "IAPB". Retrieved on 23 January 2017.
- ^ "Winners 2016". "Third Sector Awards". Retrieved on 23 January 2017.
- ^ "Winners 2016". "Third Sector Awards". Retrieved on 23 January 2017.