FAQ's

What is The Fred Hollows Foundation?

The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ is a development agency committed to eradicating avoidable blindness and restoring sight in the world's poorest countries. We use a sustainable development approach to achieve our objectives.

The Foundation draws on the values and beliefs inspired by the work and example of the late New Zealand eye surgeon Professor Fred Hollows (1929 - 1993). Working collaboratively with our in-country partners and supporters, The Fred Hollows Foundation holds a vision of a world where no one is needlessly blind.

How many countries does The Foundation work in?

The Fred Hollows Foundation New Zealand currently supports eye health initiatives across the Pacific region and includes extensive country programs in Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea

Worldwide, The Fred Hollows Foundation has worked in collaboration with local blindness prevention and other health organisations in more than 38 countries throughout Africa, Asia (South Asia and South East Asia) and Australia since 1992. These programs are managed by The Fred Hollows Foundation in Australia and The Fred Hollows Foundation in the UK.

How does The Foundation select countries and communities to work in?

The Foundation adopts a dynamic and exploratory approach to identifying possible countries to conduct development activities within. This approach provides The Foundation with the flexibility to identify and maximise new opportunities, based on local need.

A thorough assessment is carried out within communities and countries to determine if a potential development program would be suitable and sustainable, while also making the greatest possible impact. The assessment process also identifies if the program could fit in with The Foundation's strategic approach to development, along with existing partnerships and commitments in the region.

Questions which are asked during the assessment process include:

• Have we been invited to help local people and communities?
• Are there suitable local agencies to enter into partnership with?
• Will our involvement help make health programs accessible to the poorest and most disadvantaged communities?
• Are the means to fund the program clear and available?

What is the focus of The Fred Hollows Foundation New Zealand at present? 

The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ is committed to preventing and treating blindness. We are currently working in the Pacific region, including Timor-Leste (East Timor) and Papua New Guinea.  There are over 80,000 people who are blind in the Pacific of which 70% is due to cataracts.  A further 240,000 people simply require spectacles to correct their sight.

To reduce blindness and achieve long term changes in the Pacific, The Foundation is working with local people and providing them with the tools they need to treat and prevent blindness themselves. There are currently only 12 Pacific eye doctors and fewer than 70 Pacific eye nurses to work with a population of almost 8 million people. For this population size there needs at least 80 eye doctors and 300 eye nurses.

To address this need The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ established a regional training centre to train eye-doctors and nurses from across the Pacific to treat and prevent blindness.  The Pacific Eye Institute is based centrally in Fiji. The Foundation also delivers eye nurse training at the Divine Word University in Madang, PNG, and at the National Institute of Health Science in Dili, Timor-Leste

What is The Foundation's current eye health focus?

The Fred Hollows Foundation New Zealand has a main role as a training organization, and then working with the nurses and doctors who have been trained to provide high quality eye health care in their own countries.  

Fundamental to our approach is a commitment to long term sustainability.  

Our approach is flexible, responsive and systematic. It demonstrates that creative partnerships with local communities, NGOs, governments, corporate and philanthropic groups are possible.

The current focus of our work with the doctors and nurses who have been trained through our programs includes:

• Developing programs which provide quality eye care service on an ongoing, reliable basis   
• Addressing the obstacles that stop men, women and children receiving eye care treatment and surgery
• Designing a regional approach to the reliable, regular supply of spectacles and surgical consumables
• Advocacy to promote the importance of eye health 

How many people have had their sight restored by The Foundation?

In early 2003, the one millionth Fred Hollows intraocular lens was inserted into the eye of Zubaida Bibi in Pakistan by a Foundation trained doctor. In 2007 The Foundation estimated that local doctors in countries where we work have restored sight to well over one million disadvantaged people, however the actual figures are not yet available.

Thanks to the initiative of Fred Hollows and The Foundationset up in his name, modern techniques of cataract surgery, involving the implantation of an IOL, have now been widely adopted as standard practice throughout the developing world. 

What are the biggest obstacles for restoring sight?

The biggest obstacles in the blindness prevention field are inadequate national health budgets; debilitating shortfalls of equipment, facilities and supplies; maldistribution of services (most services are concentrated in cities) and inability of people to access these services, and the lack of trained personnel - doctors, nurses and managers.

How much does it cost to restore someone's sight?

It costs as little as $25, in some developing countries, to perform cataract surgery and restore sight to people living with unnecessary blindness. This cost fluctuates with exchange rates and the specific operating environments in the countries in which we work. For example, in some countries, we distribute free intraocular lenses to poor patients, or subsidise consumable costs, while in other countries patients are charged on a sliding scale, with wealthy patients subsidising the cost for poorer patients.

What does the $25 cost associated with cataract surgery pay for?

The $25 cost includes the vital components of cataract surgery, including the intraocular lens (IOL), sutures and other consumables (bandages and anesthetic), and pre and post operative medications.

How can surgery be done for so little money in developing countries?

One of the biggest cost components of cataract surgery is the intraocular lens - Fred Hollows used to refer to them as ‘the most expensive pieces of plastic in the world'. The Foundation supported the establishment of state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Nepal and Eritrea in 1994, which enabled the production of IOLs at minimum cost. By manufacturing high quality, low cost IOLs and finding other ways to minimise the cost of consumables and surgical equipment, The Foundation has helped to make cataract surgery affordable to the most disadvantaged communities in developing countries.

Can The Foundation help with my eye surgery in New Zealand?

The Foundation assists disadvantaged people in developing countries. Our programs are not available to members of the New Zealand public and The Foundation is not able to provide referrals or recommendations to New Zealand ophthalmologists. For more information please visit the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists website at http://www.ranzco.edu/

Can you provide funding to assist with an operation?

The Foundation is not a grant making organisation and does not provide financial assistance to individuals, groups or organisations, other than our partners working in the areas of cataract blindness in developing countries.

Can you tell me the name of the person that I've helped to see?

The Foundation doesn't have ‘sponsorship' programs that enable supporters to identify with individual beneficiaries of our work.

What is the definition of blindness?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) blindness is defined as "visual acuity of less than 3/60 or corresponding visual field loss in the better eye with best possible correction."

A simple definition of blindness, which affects more than 37 million people around the world, refers to a loss of vision resulting in a person being "unable to walk unaided".

What is visual impairment?

People who are visually impaired include those:

• Who are blind
• Who have had normal vision, but have become gradually
  (or suddenly) partially or totally blind
• Those with impairments which affect part of their vision
• With a general degradation of acuity across their 'visual field'.
  (* Acuity refers to the sharpness of vision and the ability to detect fine detail)

What are the main causes of blindness?

The main causes of blindness include cataract, glaucoma, trachoma, onchocerciasis (river blindness), childhood blindness, diabetic retinopathy, trauma and age-related macular degeneration.

Of the 37 million people who are blind worldwide, cataract accounts for approximately half of all cases. Glaucoma is ranked as the second main cause of blindness.

In the Pacific region over 70 % of blindness is caused by cataracts.  Diabetic retinopathy is also particularly prevalent in the region.

What is cataract blindness?

Cataract blindness occurs when the natural lens of the eye becomes cloudy, causing gradual loss of vision and ultimately blindness. Having cataract blindness is a lot like looking through a mirror in a bathroom that has become fogged up with steam.

What is an intraocular lens?

An intraocular lens is a thin piece of clinical quality plastic - often called an IOL - which is implanted to replace the natural clouded lens or ‘cataract'. This is often referred to as modern cataract surgery.

What does ‘capacity building' mean to The Foundation?

Capacity building is assisting people to develop the skills, knowledge and application to take on program tasks themselves.  It is also about creating linkages, cementing relationships and forging partnerships between local people and organisations; establishing systems and strengthening infrastructures; and empowering people in the communities with which we work to problem solve.

In all of our programs, The Foundation aims to strengthen the capacity of existing structures rather than to duplicate them. Our strategies to achieve this include:

• Working through existing public health structures at both local and national levels
• Supporting stakeholder development and strengthening professional health networks
• Supporting stakeholders at all levels to provide appropriate guidance to local and national health services
• Working with partners to change management-related practices
• Working with communities to encourage self-reliance and ownership of the health issue.
• Acting as an advocate and facilitator
• Lobbying governments

What does 'partnership' mean to The Foundation?

Much of The Foundation's success leads back to our investment in partnerships. Partnerships are fundamental to The Foundation's approach to facilitating the transfer and exchange of skills, knowledge and technologies, which enable communities to own the solutions to their own health outcomes. Through partnerships, we believe that local ownership is the key to sustainable development.

Who are The Foundation's partners?

The Foundation has partnered with individuals and organisations in the public and private sectors, international and country NGOs and in international, regional and local networks and alliances. Each of our partners is committed to The Foundation's vision and support the implementation of our programs. In the Pacific we partner with academic institutions and governments for our training programs.

What are The Foundation's partnership principles?

Our work with partners is guided by the following principles:

• Our partners preparedness to share our values and approach
• We seek to learn from the experience of our partners by ensuring they are involved in program design, evaluation, review and on-going planning
• We recognise the role that non-medical community-based organisations can play in prevention and awareness raising activities
• All partnerships are underpinned by letters of agreement, which outline the objectives of all parties.

How does poverty alleviation fit in to The Foundation's eye health programs?

The Foundation's belief in access to quality eye care for all, no matter where people live or how much they earn, means that we focus on assisting disadvantaged communities who would otherwise be unable to access eye care services.

By restoring a person's sight, barriers are removed and the ability to become productive and self sufficient is possible again. This reduces the burden on families, improves quality of life and addresses the devastating cycle of poverty.

What is sustainability and how does it relate to The Foundation?

Sustainability, in the context of development, broadly refers to establishing programs within communities to create benefits which continue for future generations, long after the organisations that have assisted the community have ended their involvement.

Our philosophy places significant importance on planning and implementing longer term health care programs with communities, to assist them to develop their own workable solutions for the future. Self sufficiency, local ownership and community access are key aspects of this approach.

The Foundation highlights the following as ways to promote program sustainability:

• Training local doctors, nurses, technicians and administration people so they can deliver eye care services themselves and are not dependent on foreign medical teams or funding
• Providing the necessary equipment and consumables, and ensuring workable systems so they can continue to be accessed
• Supporting where applicable cost recovery or other self funding initiatives for the supply of surgical consumables and spectacles, to limit dependence on aid in the future
• Establishing and equipping health centres so that there are facilities in place from which eye care can be delivered
• Building the organisational infrastructure and ‘know-how' to support the work and make the programs successful
• Identifying broader environmental or structural problems that may threaten sustainability, and taking action to address them
• Planning for financial sustainability, including through the development of workable cost-recovery strategies and by assisting local teams to build direct relationships with other partners (government and non-government agencies, and donors) who will contribute to and support their work.

What fundraising activities does The Foundation undertake?

Like any other organisation, The Foundation cannot afford to put all its eggs in one basket. As such we maintain an ‘integrated' approach to fundraising which includes direct mail, pledge programs, major gifts, legacies and bequests, corporate sponsorship, grants from philanthropic trusts, merchandise and special events.

Some of these activities are more cost-effective than others.  For example, the cost of acquiring new donors is much higher than for raising money from existing supporters. But clearly, the investment is necessary if The Foundation is to continue to meet the commitments we've made to needlessly blind people throughout the world.

At the other end of the scale, people who make regular donations to The Foundation through The Miracle Club or payroll deduction, or who leave money to The Foundation in their Will, are making the most cost-effective form of donation.

Can I help The Foundation to raise money?

There are many ways that you can raise money to support the work of The Foundation! You can host your own fundraising event (like a band night at your local pub, a sponsored head shave, etc) or promote The Foundation to your community. Visit www.hollows.org.nz/Get_Involved/ or phone our fundraising department on 09-623 7560 for more details and ideas.

How do I make a donation to The Foundation?

Is my donation tax deductible?

Donations of $5.00 and over are tax deductible. 

Do donations attract a GST payment?

Goods and Services Tax is only payable where one entity supplies something to another entity in return for a payment. If a payment is truly a gift, ie where no supply has been made, there are no GST consequences for donations.

Will I get a receipt for my donation?

If you have supplied us with your donor number or your name and address, all donations $5 and over are receipted by The Foundation. They are usually mailed within 10 working days of the donation being received by The Foundation.

What percentage of my donation goes towards The Foundation's programs?

In 2007, The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ applied 82% of total income to its programs. 18% was applied to administration. Source: 2007 Annual Report. The Foundation is fortunate to have financial and in-kind backing from our Board Members and Corporate Partners whose generous support enable it to keep costs to a minimum.

How can my donations to The Foundation benefit me?

Donations to our work not only make a difference to the lives of disadvantaged people throughout the world but also provide tax benefits to you, by reducing your taxable income and tax liability.

Can I donate second hand glasses to support The Foundation's work?

Recent research by The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ has revealed that donating recycled spectacles to people in developing countries can create more problems than it solves. Rather than using donated spectacles a more suitable option is to import new low cost spectacles and train technicians to test vision and dispense spectacles accurately.  Find out more at http://www.hollows.org.nz/Donated_Spectacles/

The Foundation recommends that generous donations of glasses go to the Lions Club through your local optometrist.

Can I donate other things to The Foundation?

The Foundation gratefully accepts donations of relevant ophthalmic equipment that are in good quality working condition and can be immediately directed to a country program. The Foundation believes in access to quality eye care for everyone and as such only uses quality equipment, consumables and facilities. Please contact The Foundation if you have appropriate equipment that you would like to donate. Email nzfred@hollows.org.  Phone 09-623 7560.

Will you add me to The Foundation's mailing list if I make a donation?

Supporters who make a first time donation to The Foundation receive a ‘welcome pack' from us. The pack provides background information about our work and includes a Contact Preference Form. This form enables people to nominate the type and frequency of contact they have with us.

All first time donors have the option to not be added to our mailing list.

How do I change my details on The Foundation's mailing list?

If you wish to change your contact details on our mailing list please contact The Foundation with your previous and new details. All of The Foundation's mailouts also provide the opportunity for recipients to change their contact details.

To change your mail preferences you can request a Contact Preference Form, which we will be posted to you. Email nzfred@hollows.org or phone + 64 9 623 7560. If you wish to be taken off our mailing list please also contact The Foundation.

Does The Foundation share donor information with other people and organisations?

The Foundation in New Zealand does not share its database or sell details to any individual or organization.

Is Gabi Hollows still involved with The Foundation?

Gabi Hollows is a Founding Director of the Board and Patron of The Miracle Club.  She is passionate about education and the work of service clubs and is most actively involved with promoting The Foundation's work within those communities.

Where can I find out more about Fred Hollows?

The Foundation's approach is inspired by the work and example of the late New Zealand Professor Fred Hollows (1929 - 1993). The Foundation has a range of information materials, photographs, videos and publications about Fred Hollows. For further information visit http://www.hollows.org.nz/About_Fred , email nzfred@hollows.org or phone + 64 9 623 7560.

Does The Foundation use volunteer staff in its New Zealand office?

All of the staff of The Fred Hollows Foundation are paid. We use volunteers wherever we can but we find that the demands on our staff and the commitment and expertise required means that we cannot rely totally on volunteer staff to achieve our objectives. The Foundation employs a New Zealand staff of 8 who work in our Auckland office. In Australia there are 30 staff who work in the Sydney, Brisbane, Darwin, Adelaide, Katherine and Melbourne offices.

The Foundation welcomes enquiries from interested people to volunteer in our Australian and New Zealand offices. These opportunities generally involve administrative support to our Australasian based staff. Please contact us for further information. 

Can I volunteer to work overseas for The Foundation?

The Foundation does not generally place volunteers in our international programs.  This is because we aim to develop the skills and capacity of local people in the disadvantaged communities we work within. However, occasionally we need the services of experienced professionals in the following occupations: Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Orthoptists and Ophthalmic nurses.

Positions can be both short and long term, and require an interest in the training and supervision of students. For more information or to find out if there are positions available please contact Louisa Semmons on 09 62375665 or email Lsemmons@hollows.org

How can I become involved in The Foundation and ‘see' its work?

If you are visiting a country where we have a program, contact us and we will endeavour to arrange a visit to one of our clinics so that you can see the work at first hand.

Is The Foundation a political organisation?

The Foundation is not a political organisation and does not affiliate with any particular political party. The Foundation does partner with some government agencies in the countries where we coordinate development programs. This is to ensure that program activities link in with broader health care activities in each country. The Foundation receives some funding from AusAID and NZAID but operates completely independently from any government.

Is The Foundation connected to any religious organisation?

The Foundation is a secular organisation with support from across the community, including people from all denominations and faiths.                                                                          

Where can I find out more about The Foundation?

To find out more about The Foundation please visit our website http://www.hollows.org.nz/, email nzfred@hollows.org  or phone + 64 9 623 7560.