Most people take their eyes for granted because majority of those who can see have no experience being blind, and thus are not completely aware of the everyday conditions blind people need to go through. In fact, many of those with blurred vision who need to use eye glasses or contact lenses often complain due to the difficulties they experience whereas the blind see nothing at all on a regular basis. For the many beautiful sites and objects are not within reach and cannot be appreciated. Needless to say, living the life of a blind person come with many difficulties.
Luckily, medical and technological advancements nowadays have enabled many doctors to operate on blind patients to give them their set of eyes to see the world the way others can. Thus, it is extremely costly and only a fraction of blind individuals can afford this. To some, it is even considered a luxury. Several nonprofits such as Mission for Vision, an NGO in India have been seeking for international grants for nonprofits to help these individuals in their everyday lives. This particular organization has already changed the lives of several blind people by shouldering the expenses for their operations in order to see.
Other efforts will include shelters specially designed for the blind. These shelters have the necessary equipment designed for the blind where the blind can live more comfortably with the company of people who go through the same struggles. Others even host sports competitions for the blind to realize that there are still numerous things they are capable of doing such as enjoying the company of others through fun and games. For those who are given the privilege of sight after an operation takes place, nonprofits still continually support them in their rehabilitation process.
A few of the international grants for nonprofit organizations, individuals, and educational institutions are the following:
1. Guide Dogs
In the United Kingdom where education is said to be very competitive worldwide, schools for the visually impaired are to be no different. Hence, blind children under the age of 18 are provided with the technology and sensory items they need. Apart from that, the organization also has a custom eye scheme where they sell books with large texts to at low prices for those who suffer from visual impairment.
2. Alcon Foundation
Nonprofits who have programs and initiatives relating to civilizing the quality of eyecare can apply for grants from the Alcon Foundation. Since the organization is focused on the improvement on quality eyecare, they have been committed to sponsoring over USD 10,000 should the proposals be remarkable.
3. Blindness and the Blind Federal Grants
Blindness and the Blind Federal Grants offers grants to specific causes, many of which are related to aiding children with special needs. A number of them involve research for the improvement of the lives of special needs children, the blind included. Some of their grants on the other hand focus greatly on the implementation of policies in schools like providing proper equipment for the blind.
Because of the joint efforts nonprofits and international grants have provided, the blind are now able to live more productive lives, and some of them even have the chance to see. From a life filled with difficulties, nonprofits have made inclusion a goal for the blind. Behind all the hardships they endure in everyday life, the blind are still very much capable of doing many things which can improve society. All they need is guidance and direction which is what NGOs have been providing.
