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PROJECT PARTNERS

NEU Global, EyeCare4Kids, and the Indiana University School of Optometry are partnering to improve the quality of children's vision care in Rwanda. Through our collaborations, we have performed vision examinations on almost 1,000 children during two vision programs (2018 and 2023) in Rwanda’s Musanze district. The children received a comprehensive examination, but also received glasses, if needed, and were referred for additional care to local ophthalmologists if eye medical issues were discovered. 

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Nancy Uslan

 Founder/ President

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Nancy Uslan is the founder of both Indiana University’s Books & Beyond Project and NEU Global, Inc. She has worked for decades to bring books, clean water, and preventative vision care to communities across Rwanda, and her humanitarian efforts earned her the honor of being an Indiana University
Bicentennial Medal recipient and having NEU Global being an officially accredited NGO by the UN’s Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in special consultative status.

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Indiana University School of Optometry

Don W. Lyon, O.D., M.S., F.A.A.O.

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​Clinical ProfessorDirector/Founder Vision for the Future

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​“Our focus is on making eye health a priority, advancing the field of vision through research, improving the availability of services to everyone who needs them, and training future generations to do the same through our cutting-edge curriculum. This has been our mission and promise since day one.”

~ Mission Statement

"It is our hope to not simply impact the quality of vision care in the Musanze district but to improve the quality of care across the country through partnering with the University of Rwanda ophthalmology program and the Minister of Health. Across the world children are an underserved population in need of for vision care. Through this Rwandan project partnership with NEU Global and Eye Care 4 Kids, we plan to ensure all undiagnosed vision problems be addressed and that these children will be able to reach their full academic potential. Every child, regardless of age, location, or resources, should receive high-quality vision care. This is a small, but potent step in the right direction."

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~ Don W. Lyon

Katie Connolly

Katie Connolly, O.D., F.A.A.O.  Indiana University School of Optometry Clinical Associate

Katie Connolly, O.D., F.A.A.O.  Indiana University School of Optometry Clinical Associate Professor Chief, Pediatric and Binocular Vision Services Director, Myopia Management Clinic Atwater Eye Care Center Bloomington, IN

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Eye Care 4 Kids

Joseph Carbone

Founder/CEO

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 Eye Care 4 Kids mission is to Sight the World. Over 500,000,000 children worldwide have vision issues. If vision is compromised a child cannot reach his or her maximum potential in school. Education is an important piece of the puzzle toward breaking the cycle of poverty. Eye Care 4 Kids is hoping to be part of the solution. We are proud of our collaboration in Rwanda with NEU GLOBAL and Indiana University School of Optometry and are thrilled to have been given the opportunity to participate in this program.

 

“There was a beautiful young girl who put the glasses on, looked across the school yard and saw a cow. She exclaimed, “A cow, a cow!” She was very excited! I had tears running down my cheeks. As the founder of Eye Care 4 Kids witnessing, firsthand, the smiles on the Rwandan children’s faces after receiving glasses and being able to see for the first time, reaffirmed my commitment to work in Africa. It is a remarkable place with warm and friendly people who are enormously grateful for our free services."

 

~ Joseph Carbone

Jordan Marentette OD, F.A.A.O.

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A 2019 graduate from the Michigan College of Optometry with a BS in Vision Science and became a Doctor of Optometry in 2022. He then began a residency in ocular disease at the Cincinnati Eye Institute under the tutelage of some of the most famous ophthalmologists in the world. Jordan plans to return home to West Michigan to continue his practice in his community summer 2024.

 

“I have an extreme passion for providing eye care to the underserved, I believe in improving the world’s vision where it’s needed most. Refractive error still remains the leading cause of blindness globally, which affects 2.7 billion people—many in underserved regions like Rwanda. Every mission trip is a step towards brighter, clearer futures for those in need."

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~ Jordan Marentette

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