I CARE FOR EYECARE

Objective

To contribute to the alleviation of health issues of the patrons of Fund for Armenian Relief’s (FAR) Soup Kitchens by helping them to access proper eye care.

Goals • To provide free eye examinations to all 781 beneficiaries who attend FAR’s Soup Kitchens • To order and distribute eyeglasses to all beneficiaries who are in need • To organize a free eye intervention with Armenian Eye Care Project (AECP) in the cases of critical conditions

Project Description and Background

Armenia’s population consists of many vulnerable groups, one of which consists of the impoverished elderly. While many may have led dignified lives, at some point their circumstances changed resulting in the harsh truth that acquiring a warm meal each day is a typical challenge. Since 1995, FAR has tried to ensure that groups like the elderly and the poverty-stricken live a more dignified life by trying to prevent their segregation from society. Currently, there are 781 beneficiaries—families, children, and elderly—who attend FAR’s five different soup kitchens located in Yerevan, Gyumri, Nor Hajn, Byureghavan, and Berd. Each serve a hot and nutritious meal to beneficiaries five days a week. In addition, they help to provide a gathering place for community and a safe haven.

One of the major challenges the elderly must deal with is caused by their failing eye-sight. And for this particular group there is often no help, resulting in disability. Ayo! and the Armenian Eye Care Project (AECP) joined resources for the shared goal of providing free eye examinations to all 781 beneficiaries who attend the soup kitchens. Based on the results they will be provided with eyeglasses free of charge. The AECP doctors will be visiting each soup kitchen in Yerevan, Nor Hajn, Byureghavan, and Gyumri accompanied by Ayo! staff to organize the check-ups for beneficiaries. Eye check-ups for the Berd soup kitchen will be organized separately with an ophthalmologist in Berd, Tavush region. Additionally, for the patients with critical conditions, while taking them to the AECP mobile clinic in various locations in Armenia, we will also provide food to ensure the beneficiaries still receive their nutritious daily meal even if they are outside of the soup kitchen for a day.

As we seek to build a better future for Armenia and Armenians, we want our great grandparents and elders to see the incredible change that can result from our passion. We want them to be able to see their grand-children and great-grand-children. Most of all, we want to bring the beauty of the world around them into sharp focus. And who knows? Perhaps with clearer vision they will be able to join us in our efforts.

WILL YOU SAY AYO! TO CARE FOR EYECARE?

TOTAL COST Budget Breakdown $7,712 Exchange Rate 1 USD = 475 AMD

ITEM QTY PRICE AMD PRICE USD TOTAL

Eye glasses for elderly 660 3,000 $6.3 $4,158

Eye glasses for children 125 7,000 $14.8 $1,850

Eye check-up in Berd 120 2,000 $4.2 $504

Lunch boxes for follow up procedures 20 2400 $5.0 $100

Transportation $600

Project Management $500

TOTAL $7,712.00 Amendments (May 2017)

When launching we had projected to reach out to 781 beneficiaries in 5 FAR Soup Kitchens to provide eyecare (eye check-ups and eyeglasses). Our partnership with the Armenian Eye Care Project was so wonderful that we started phase one of eye check-ups right away in Yerevan, Nor Hajn, Byureghavan and Berd, will be moving on to do Gyumri next. According to the latest results of the beneficiaries who showed up for screenings the number of total beneficiaries for this project has been reduced, thus we immediately reduced the total budget, leaving us with $2,600 required to provide eyeglasses to the actual beneficiaries who will need this - around 180! Please see the updated budget below.

Exchange Rate 1 USD = 475 AMD ACTUAL TOTAL PRICE PRICE NUMBER OF AFTER COST ITEM QTY AMD USD TOTAL BENEFICIARIES REDUCTION

Eye glasses for elderly 660 3,000 $6.3 $4,158 170 $1,071.00

Eye glasses for children 125 7,000 $14.8 $1,850 10 $148.00

Eye check-up in Berd 120 2,000 $4.2 $504 45 $189.00

Lunch boxes for follow 20 2400 $5.0 $100 20 $100.00 up procedures

Transportation $600 $600.00

Project Management $500 $500.00

TOTAL $7,712.00 $2,608.00