Scojo India Foundation: Restoring Eyesight in Rural India

Julia Tran — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 16:13:22 -0500

Date of talk or publication:
June 2007

Organization:
World Resources Institute

Description:

Scojo Foundation’s network of entrepreneurs selling reading glasses in India demonstrates how market-based development models can provide much-needed services to the poor while stimulating economic growth.

The work of Scojo India Foundation tackles presbyopia, or blurry up-close vision, while providing employment to hundreds of microfranchisees.

Scojo Foundation has established a network of “Vision Entrepreneurs,” low-income men and women who sell reading glasses directly to rural villagers throughout India. Scojo Vision Entrepreneurs earn significant supplementary income and enjoy a better standard of living, as well as increased self-respect and influence in their communities. Their customers benefit from ready and convenient access to inexpensive reading glasses, which translate into restored eyesight and improved livelihoods. For weavers, mechanics, goldsmiths, and others whose livelihoods depend on near vision, a lack of access to reading glasses can impede productivity and significantly decrease their income and ability to feed their families.

Since 2003, Scojo India Foundation has employed more than 400 entrepreneurs and sold more than 50,000 pairs of glasses.

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Scojo India Foundation: Restoring Eyesight in Rural India