Refugee Vision Project

Refugees who resettle to Boise have often made a long dangerous journey to arrive on American soil. The entire process of resettlement can take anywhere from 2 to 19 years, with the average length of stay in a refugee camp being from 15-17 years. Once they are resettled, they are provided resources from the community such as the English Language Center. This resource provides classes that are required to be attended by newly resettled refugees. With their motto being "Language is power." the English Language Center works to help refugees become independent in their new home. 

In early 2016, teachers at the English Language Center started noticing that their students were having a hard time seeing their worksheets, books, and the board in their classrooms. After researching the resettlement system, we found that vision screenings were not included, or easily accessible throughout any point in the resettlement process.  And when we began to realize how much-uncorrected vision can hinder a refugee's ability to becoming independent through language, we decided to do something. 

Working alongside Boise State's Project SHINE, we created a pilot program in 2016, that provided free exams and prescription eyewear to a group of students at the English Language Center, and we called that program The Refugee Vision Project. 30 students from one class were initially examined in their classroom by the Lion's Club of Idaho. We found that 23 of them needed vision correction. When we did the math, that meant that over 70% of the students in one class, had vision problems that were hindering their ability to learn.

As the Refugee Vision Project, we partnered with local businesses to pull together our resources and fill a gap in the resettlement system.  Eagle Vision One and Barbertown Eyecare provided free, formal exams to all 23 students. And Proof Eyewear donated frames and prescription lenses to all 23 of the refugee students, 
as well as facilitated the financial burdens associated with translators, transportation, etc. 


Fast forward to February of this year, where the Lions of Idaho screened an additional 60  students who attended other classes at the English Language Center.  We found that at least 40 of them will need to utilize this program in order to obtain eye care. In response to this need, we are launching The Refugee Vision Project take two. Where we will continue to fill a need for prescription glasses, one student at a time.

Everything is ready to go for round two! We have pre-screened the students with the help of the Lions Club of Idaho, and have partnered again with Barbertown and Eagle Vision One to conduct formal exams. The prescription frames are ready to be distributed by Proof Eyewear. We even have volunteer drivers and translators ready to help out with exams. But we are halted by additional, necessary, financial costs required to run this project.

We are hoping that with your donation, we can raise $3,000 by April 25th to account for the following expenses:                                                                                  

$1,700- lenses for 40 prescription glasses as well as reader glasses for up close vision correction. 
$800- Interpreters to help with paperwork, exams, glasses fitting, and glasses distribution
$600- Transporation to and from exams for all 40 students 
$500- We will use this money as "emergency cash". This will be used to pay for repairs to glasses, follow-up exams, etc. 

If you would like to donate but are unsure how your donation will directly impact a refugee student, please see the following for our suggested donation amounts.
$15- Provides one hour of interpretation. 
$40- Provides lenses for one student.
$80-Provides lenses for two students.
$100-Provides interpretation, lenses, and transportation for one student's exam. 

Any donations, no matter how big or small will help
give the gift of sight to refugees living in our community. 
If you can't donate, please share our campaign to raise awareness about the importance of independence in the refugee community, and to spread the message of the Refugee Vision Project. We know that if we come together as a community, we can help people thrive, not just survive.