How are you different from other organizations that provide students with free glasses?
There are currently many organizations in the U.S. that focus on providing students with glasses. However, there are very few organizations that provide this service in China. Education In Sight serves the U.S. and China’s neediest students, while at the same time fostering international exchange and understanding. Each student who receives a free pair of glasses also gains the opportunity to be matched with an Education In Sight peer across the globe. Through pen pals and online conferencing, we aim to promote cultural exchange in order to increase cultural understanding and educational opportunities.
In addition to our cross-cultural approach, we also provide literature to students and parents on how to care for eyes and new glasses. This is a service not provided by many other charitable organizations. Finally, we partner with local eye doctors so that students don’t have to leave their school to get tested--they can do so right in their school cafeteria, gymnasium, or classroom. We use this opportunity to help our students form relationships with neighborhood optometrists. While we’re forging international understanding, we’re still fostering local relationships that build communities.
Why do you provide glasses to students in both China and the US?
In the United States, there are currently 8.8 million children ages 5 to 17 that live under the federal poverty level and approximately 3.52 million of them need prescription glasses. Studies suggest that children living in poor urban environments have twice the normal rate of vision problems. Undetected vision problems disproportionately affect children and students from low-income families. In addition, those who cannot afford glasses are often those who need them most: low income students who could have a brighter future with a better education with glasses.
The situation is equally dire in China. Behind the country’s massive economic growth is a growing achievement gap. Over 200 million children live in rural China with limited access to quality education. Twenty percent of these students have vision problems, which further reduce their chances of gaining the skills and knowledge they need to succeed both in and out of the classroom. Education In Sight works with pre-existing networks in China, such as Teach For China Fellows, to target students in rural and low-income areas and provide them the glasses they need to see clearly and reach their potential.
What is the age range of the students you serve?
Education In Sight works with both elementary and middle schools students, covering grades one through nine.
How do you decide which schools to partner with?
In China, we work with Teach For China Teaching Fellows. Teach For China Fellows apply to Education In Sight through a rigorous application process. These “Sight Leaders” are selected on the basis of the strength of their application and their projected impact. Since Teach for China Fellows are embedded in their communities, they act as perfect conduits for providing eyeglasses.
How do you measure Education In Sight’s impact?
Data collection and tracking is an area we will greatly expand this year. We are leveraging our partnerships with Teach For China and KIPP to collect student data as we implement the project. The purpose of collecting data is to ultimately give a quantitative output of the academic impact on students with their newly acquired glasses. The data collected will also be used to demonstrate our effectiveness and thus drive our fundraising efforts.
How much does it cost to give one student a pair of glasses?
In China, we partner with local eye doctors that give us extremely discounted rates by producing the glasses in their own local shops. Each pair of glasses costs approximately 50 RMB ($8.00 USD). In the US, we seek to partner with optometric associations, corporate sponsors, and nonprofits to provide examinations and free eyeglasses.
Is Education In Sight a registered nonprofit?
Education In Sight is currently working with Kirkland & Ellis LLP (the fifth largest law firm in the United States) to register our organization.
Where does Education In Sight get its funding from?
Education In Sight is currently working hard to raise support through its crowdfunding page on Fundly. We are also simultaneously applying for grants and corporate sponsorship in high level competitions such as the Social Innovation Award, sponsored through Teach For America, and the Echoing Green Entrepreneurship Fellowship.
How do I make a donation?
Donations can be made through our Fundly fundraising page, found here. Beyond a donation, you can also help by getting the word out about our organization to your friends through our Facebook page!
Are my donations tax deductible?
Education In Sight does not yet have 501(c)3 non-profit status, and therefore donations are not yet tax deductible. However, by donating now, you are helping us develop at an early stage, and driving us towards our goal of becoming a fully-formed non-profit organization that can deliver a sustainable impact.
How much of my donation goes to programming costs?
Education In Sight is dedicated to ensuring that the money we raise directly benefits the students we serve. This year, only 12% of the money we raise goes to administrative costs, which means that 88% of each donation goes to ensuring students have quality eye care.
Can I donate my used glasses to Education In Sight?
Education In Sight appreciates support in all forms, but right now we are focused on purchasing new glasses through local suppliers to cut down on the cost of shipping, as well as to meet each student’s individual need. Other organization such as Lions Club, New Eyes for the Needy, and Unite for Sight run programs that welcome used glasses.
