Sante Initiative

READING GLASSES CHALLENGE; Uganda

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Reading Glasses

Learn more about the Reading Glasses Challenge and how increasing access to non-prescription reading or working glasses can improve the livelihoods of those in need.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Sante Initiative’s mission is to increase access to reading glasses for people with presbyopia living in low and middle-income countries.

The organization will connect reading glasses to people living with presbyopia by raising awareness about presbyopia through conducting educational sessions for health workers and community members, and developing informational materials (pamphlets, videos, online content) on presbyopia.

They will facilitate access to diagnostic tools by utilizing mobile apps with Snellen charts, offering self-testing options for individuals with smartphones, and making these charts available in community drug shops and clinics. They will also ensure quality control for prescribed glasses by ensuring that high-quality glasses are prescribed and conducting periodic audits to ensure compliance with prescription guidelines.

Sante Initiative was started in 2024 by Irene Mbabazi and Derrick Bary Abila. Both individuals are passionate about promoting better vision health in Africa.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Reach 500 beneficiaries during the pilot.

• Distribute 500 reading eyeglasses during the pilot.

• Fundraise USD 25,000.

FOUNDING TEAM

Irene Mbabazi - Co-Founder

Derrick Bary Abila - Co-Founder

ClearSight Initiative

READING GLASSES CHALLENGE; Ethiopia

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Reading Glasses

Learn more about the Reading Glasses Challenge and how increasing access to non-prescription reading or working glasses can improve the livelihoods of those in need.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Clearsight Initiative empowers low-income presbyopic adults in Ethiopia by providing affordable, accessible reading eyeglasses through a sustainable, community-based distribution model.

Clearsight Initiative will combine multiple models based on geographic and demographic considerations. In urban areas, they will use the hub-and-spoke model with micro-entrepreneurs and in rural areas, they will rely on mobile clinics and self-adjustable vision kits.

Schools and community centers will act as year-round access points in both settings. They will integrate those models for a comprehensive, flexible, and scalable distribution framework to make reading glasses accessible across diverse communities in the Tigray region of Ethiopia and beyond.

The team combines Dr. Araya Yirga, a clinician and public health expert with more than 13 years of experience, including as Regional Public Health Services Director; Tr. Assefa Berhe, a teacher, top-selling books author and former head of a teachers' association; Sir Mulu Tekie, an ophthalmic nurse, with an extensive public service record including director of MNCH project at Moms fir Moms NGO; and Dr. Bereket Zeray, a university professor with Phd in Accounting and Finance and who has served as regional development bank advisor.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Reach 1,000 presbyopic adults during our pilot phase by distributing 1,000 reading eyeglasses through trained sales agents in selected communities in Tigray, Ethiopia.

• Distribute 1,000 proven reading eyeglasses to presbyopic adults during the pilot phase.

• Raise up to $5,000 during the pilot phase by pursuing small grants, local contributions, and potential in-kind support.

FOUNDING TEAM

Dr. Araya Yirga - Founder

Tr. Assefa Berhe - Co-Founder

Sir Mulu Tekie - Co-Founder

Dr. Bereket Zeray - Co-Founder

Aid Vision

READING GLASSES CHALLENGE; Democratic Republic of the Congo

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Reading Glasses

Learn more about the Reading Glasses Challenge and how increasing access to non-prescription reading or working glasses can improve the livelihoods of those in need.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Aid Vision distributes reading glasses to older adults experiencing age-related vision change.

Aid Vision’s model is based on distributing affordable non-prescription reading glasses through last-mile shops in underserved areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Targeting individuals aged 40 and older with age-related vision changes, they offer quick vision screenings. What sets Aid Vision apart is its high-leverage approach, which consists of improving the quality of life for older adults with accessible, affordable solutions.

Aid Vision was founded in 2025 by Victor Naka Magerano and Benjamin Luhazi. Aid Vision is based in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Victor Magerano serves as Aid Vision's full-time Project Lead.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Provide reading glasses to 500 individuals.

• Equip 20 last-mile shops to distribute the reading glasses.

• Fundraise an additional $60,000.

FOUNDING TEAM

Victor Naka Magerano - Project Lead

Benjamin Luhazi - Project Manager

Presbyoptics Solutions

READING GLASSES CHALLENGE; Kenya

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Reading Glasses

Learn more about the Reading Glasses Challenge and how increasing access to non-prescription reading or working glasses can improve the livelihoods of those in need.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Presbyoptics Solutions restores vision for Kenyans through affordable reading glasses.

Presbyoptics Solutions is dedicated to addressing uncorrected presbyopia in Bondo Sub-County, Kenya. Despite the availability of affordable reading glasses, many individuals aged 40 and above lack access due to cost, limited availability, and the misconception that glasses require a prescription. The initiative aims to demedicalize access to reading glasses by using Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) and church networks to distribute affordable, non-prescription reading glasses.

Through this model, they train CHVs and distributors to conduct basic vision screenings using the Snellen chart and the WHOeyes app. These trained individuals then distribute reading glasses at a subsidized cost, making them accessible to Bondo populations. By integrating eye health into community health strategies and religious gatherings, they aim to normalize the use of reading glasses and improve the quality of life and productivity for their target population.

Presbyoptics Solutions was started in 2025 by Beatrice Achieng Abura as Founder and full-time Director, Eugene Reywa Peywa as the Co-Founder & Project Coordinator, M & E.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Provide affordable, non-prescription reading glasses to at least 475 individuals aged 40 and above in Bondo Sub-County.

• Equip 7 CHVs and 5 church-based distributors with the skills to conduct vision screenings and manage inventory.

• Establish a referral network to ensure that 100% of individuals with complex eye conditions are directed to specialized ophthalmological care.

FOUNDING TEAM

Beatrice Achieng Abura - Director

Eugene Reywa Peywa - Project Coordinator, M & E.

Enhance Your Eyesight Liberia (EYE Liberia)

READING GLASSES CHALLENGE; LIBERIA

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Reading Glasses

Learn more about the Reading Glasses Challenge and how increasing access to non-prescription reading or working glasses can improve the livelihoods of those in need.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

EYE Liberia restores vision for Liberians by increasing access to affordable reading glasses in underserved communities.

EYE Liberia leverages a community-based distribution model. They train youth and women from the communities they work with to conduct basic vision screenings, sell affordable reading glasses and provide eye health education in underserved communities. The pilot will be launched in four peri-urban and rural communities in Liberia (Montserrado, Bong, Lofa, and Nimba Counties), where access to eye care is extremely limited or unavailable.

What sets EYE Liberia apart is its understanding of the local context, as well as combining income generation for local agents with immediate and immense health impact. Its model is local, empowering and sustainable.

Benjamin Varney Jr. is the full-time Founder/CEO of Enhance Your Eyesight Liberia (EYE Liberia).

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• 1000+ individuals provided reading glasses within three months.

• 1000+ pairs of reading glasses to individuals in need in underserved communities.

• Secure a minimum of $10,000 in additional funding from local or international partners to support our expansion.

FOUNDING TEAM

Benjamin Varney Jr. - Founder/ CEO