What is Village Sponsorship?

Care, empowerment and sustainability are at the heart of the ICEE mission to eliminate avoidable blindness by the year 2020.  The Village Sponsorship Programme asks you to consider a regular donation to support the work of ICEE, which is establishing eye care systems in villages throughout the world, to provide basic eye care.

Why we would like you to become a Village Sponsor

Over 300 million people in the world today have little or no access to basic eye care.  In many countries, the infrastructure to provide eye care does not exist – these lack the schools of optometry, education programmes or eye care personnel to serve the population.

By becoming a Village Sponsor and making a monthly contribution you will be ensuring ICEE has the funds to give sight and to create sustainable eye care systems in developing countries.  ICEE has the knowledge, experience and cost effective methods to deliver eye care. 

Giving sight to someone in a developing community can help them:

• Work to support their family
• Go to the market to buy fresh food
• Cook to feed their family
• Walk around the community unaided
• Maintain independence
• Sort rice from pebbles
• Read books at school
• Interact with neighbours

Who does your Village Sponsorship help?

Your Village Sponsorship will directly support ICEE programmes training eye care personnel, establishing Vision Centres and supplying glasses in a village where eye care services do not exist.
 
That means men, women and children in urban and rural communities, where ICEE works, have the opportunity for an eye examination, to be fitted with the right pair of glasses or referred for other eye care services.

Most importantly, the Village Sponsorship Programme funds the education of local people in appropriate eye care.  By training local personnel to provide eye care ICEE builds sustainable eye health solutions for the future of the community.

So far we’ve delivered eye care services in 40 countries.  Today we’re working in over 80 Aboriginal communities in Australia and South Africa, Malawi, Uganda, Nigeria, Zambia, Ethiopia, China, South East Asia, Sri Lanka and the Western Pacific.  Each year, new programmes and new communities join the list.  Your sponsorship will help as each program develops.

What does your Village Sponsorship support?

Village Sponsorship provides support for programs in Aboriginal communities in Australia and communities around the world where ICEE works. 
In each unique community where we work, ICEE programmes are carried out in partnership with local authorities or health care services in hospitals, schools, regional community health centres, vision centres, and outreach clinics where ICEE is requested and/or service provision is possible.

Your Village Sponsorship funding supports the work of ICEE.  It allows for optometrists to travel to remote areas of Australia and developing countries to train local people so they can one day manage the eye care in their communities.

What are sustainable eye care systems or programs?

ICEE programmes aim to build local capacity to provide eye care services in the future, independent of ICEE.  We work with local authorities, governments and communities to provide ongoing eye care within existing health systems, where possible, which builds long term sustainable solutions. 

ICEE provides education for local healthcare workers to develop eye care skills and service ability for the supply of glasses.  Programmes that build and enhance current activities within a country and work as part of an overall country plan are given priority. 

What is eye care service delivery?

Eye care services include community eye care screening programmes, provision of eye examinations, distribution of glasses and low vision aids and referrals for other eye-related conditions.

What is education and training?

Adequately trained eye care personnel are the key to successful ongoing service delivery programmes.  Effective programmes rely on a team approach with health care professionals working together. 

What is infrastructure development?

Infrastructure development is establishing vision centres, eye care clinics and optical workshops - places patients can go for eye examinations, glasses and referrals.  

Your regular donation

You can donate as little or as much as you like on a monthly, bi monthly, quarterly or annual basis.  For as little as $15 per month you can give sight to 36 people in a year. 

By making a regular donation, you provide ICEE with a steady source of income and help reduce our administrative and fundraising costs.  Regular support ensures that the greatest percentage of your gift goes to help those in need. 

How much of my donations goes directly to programmes?

ICEE guarantees that at least 80% of your donation goes directly to programmes in communities in need.  Up to 20% of the funds raised are used to support our operations including administration, fundraising and community education. 

ICEE is a member of the Australian Council for International Development and is signatory to the ACFID Code of Conduct.  The code requires members to meet high standards of corporate governance, public accountability and financial management. 

Is my donation tax deductible?

In Australia, all contributions to ICEE over $2 are tax deductible.

ICEE will provide you with a Financial Year Statement in July each year. Other arrangements can be made on request.