Aisha Eyecare is being built to help underserved communities in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya access eye tests, glasses, early diagnosis, treatment and specialist referrals through trusted local eye-care professionals and partners.
“Aisha is my mother. I wanted to honour the way she has spent her life helping other people, while turning what our family learned from glaucoma into something that may protect someone else’s sight.”Founder, Aisha Eyecare
Aisha is my mother. Many years ago she was diagnosed with glaucoma, a condition that can damage the optic nerve and cause permanent sight loss. Our family saw how devastating eye disease can be when it is found late, and how important ongoing treatment and monitoring can be in protecting the sight that remains.
That experience changed the way I looked at eye health. A simple eye examination, an earlier diagnosis, the right glasses, a referral or access to treatment can alter the direction of someone’s life.
There is another reason this charity carries her name. My mother has always been someone who gives. She goes out of her way to help people who are struggling and has spent her life supporting others in need. I wanted to honour that character while she is alive, not wait until one of us is no longer here.
Aisha Eyecare therefore brings together two things: what glaucoma taught our family about the value of sight, and what my mother taught me about compassion, service and responsibility towards other people.
Glaucoma made the importance of early detection, treatment and lifelong eye care real to our family.
Aisha’s generosity is the character behind the charity: help people with dignity, especially when they cannot help themselves.
The aim is not simply to run one-off campaigns, but to help people access care while strengthening local eye-care capacity over time.
Taking inspiration from strong international eye-health programmes, our model is designed around practical care, trusted local partnerships and long-term capacity rather than isolated activity.
Support community and school eye checks so refractive error, glaucoma risk, cataract and other eye problems can be identified and referred appropriately.
Help people who cannot afford them access prescription glasses, reading glasses and suitable follow-up.
Build clear referral routes to qualified optometrists, ophthalmologists, eye clinics and hospitals for patients who need further investigation or treatment.
Explore outreach clinics and mobile eye-care models that take services closer to schools, villages and communities where distance is a major barrier.
Explain eye conditions in simple language so parents, teachers and families know when to seek professional care and why regular checks matter.
In the longer term, support training, equipment, scholarships and professional development so more eye care can be delivered locally and sustainably.
WHO promotes integrated, people-centred eye care as part of stronger health systems. Our aim is to complement existing services and work with qualified people already serving their communities.
We are deliberately keeping the geographic focus clear: Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya. Each country has different eye-health challenges, so programmes should be designed with local professionals and institutions rather than copied from one place to another.
Our strongest personal and strategic focus. WHO has highlighted scarce eye-care services, workforce and awareness gaps, while new optometry training and national eye-health planning show an opportunity to strengthen local capacity.
Explore SomaliaLarge rural populations face access barriers, and trachoma remains a major eye-health challenge. We want to explore partnerships that combine screening, referral, awareness and local capacity.
Explore EthiopiaKenya has established eye-health institutions and training capacity, but access remains uneven. It offers opportunities for outreach, school screening, affordable glasses and cross-border professional partnerships.
Explore KenyaHelp us build carefully towards eye tests, glasses, referrals, treatment support and sustainable partnerships.
Donate NowWe are interested in eye-care professionals, students, fundraisers, researchers, translators, communications volunteers and people with strong local knowledge.
VolunteerFollow the journey, exchange ideas and connect with others who want to improve access to eye care.
Join WhatsAppClinics, hospitals, universities, professional bodies, community organisations and responsible funders can help us build the right model.
Discuss PartnershipWe are building this carefully, with transparency, qualified partners and a long-term view. Help us turn the intention into practical eye care.