MLC Collaboration Grant - Empowering Farmers through Eye Health and Eyeglasses Access
MLC Collaboration Grant Blog | October 1st 2023
In the heart of rural communities in Kenya and Uganda, where access to fundamental healthcare remains limited, the importance of vision care often fades into the background, adversely affecting the productivity of farmers and overall quality of life of rural populations. An inspiring new partnership between RestoringVision and Healthy Entrepreneurs is set to address this issue. Catalysed by the Million Lives Collective and sponsored by the Bayer Foundation, this transformative initiative aims to integrate eye screening services and affordable eyeglasses into the baskets of Community Health Entrepreneurs (CHEs). The underlying hypothesis of this collaboration is that such intervention will trigger a surge in demand for eyeglasses, ultimately fostering healthier eyes, heightened productivity, enriched livelihoods for farmers, while also bolstering revenues for CHEs and improving the wellbeing of local populations.
A Glimpse into the last 3 Months
Over the past few months, teams from Healthy Entrepreneurs and RestoringVision, supported by the Million Lives Collective, have been conducting a series of experiments using a ‘Sprint method’ based on Lean/Agile principles. These experiments have challenged assumptions about the integration of glasses into the CHE assortment of products and services, in order to generate concrete evidence and produce minimum viable proof on which to ground the model.
Here are some of the pivotal assumptions that have been tested:
The willingness of local populations to embrace eyeglasses despite cultural norms and incurred costs
The efficacy of promotional materials in elevating awareness of the benefits of eyeglasses
The confidence of CHEs in screening for presbyopia and selling eyeglasses
Embarking on this journey, the team initiated preliminary surveys and focus groups, engaging a diverse pool of 500 Entrepreneurs. Results from the survey unveiled a significant proportion of CHEs reacting with enthusiasm regarding the free screening services tailored for their communities, with 89% showing enthusiasm with any type of glass included in their portfolio. Likewise, CHEs were excited for the promotional materials— posters and business cards—encouraging eye screenings and reading glasses. 40% of the CHEs opted for posters and/or business cards advertising free screening services would help them promote the service.
Confronting Challenges: Lessons from the Frontlines
As with any innovative project, this new collaboration encountered unexpected challenges during the first sprint and set of experiments A significant obstacle arose during the shipping process of reading glasses from China to Uganda. Due to a clerical error, the glasses were held in Kenya for over eight weeks, causing delays in the pilot implementation timeline and impeding the initial training that was going to take place in early July.
The error occurred when the shipper in China provided the carrier with the wrong packing list, which contained information associated with another NGO frequently working in Uganda. The carrier used this information to generate a Bill of Lading, incorrectly naming the other Ugandan partner as the recipient of the glasses. The error was only discovered upon the glasses' arrival in Kenya, leading to a complex paperwork process to transfer the delivery to the intended recipient, Health Entrepreneurs, in Uganda.
This episode shone a spotlight on the indispensable role of robust logistics and streamlined communication in international collaborations. Swift corrective measures were instituted, and this led to a series of invaluable lessons, like making sure all paperwork is in place before shipping and planning for more shipping time, that will undoubtedly steer future logistical decisions.
Our Aspirations for the Next 3-6 Months
Looking ahead, the collaboration is planning to test the ability of CHEs to sell the product and screen clients for presbyopia.The MLC Collaboration has detailed plans to further enhance the accessibility of vision care for farmers and rural communities. A pivotal next step in this journey involves starting the training of trainers (TOT) in late September. Here's a glimpse into what this will look like:
Two cohorts, comprising 5 to 10 CHE trainers, will be mentored virtually by RestoringVision's Optical Advisory Team. Their training will include instructions on how to conduct eye screenings and dispense reading glasses. These master trainers, in turn, will cascade their expertise to two distinctive groups:
Group A: A compact cluster of 5-10 CHEs in Kenya.
Group B: A select cohort of about 5 Healthy Living Agents (or equivalently qualified Healthy Entrepreneurs personnel) in Uganda.
Simultaneous experiments will then take place to test the effectiveness of the two variables on community eye screenings. Amongst the hypothesis to be tested, will be the assumption thatCHEs will be able to sell the product easily and effectively and that customers will buy eyeglasses that cost a day's wage -- i.e. $2.
Other experiments will also occur concurrently including:
Testing whether small business cards and other marketing materials will increase CHEs’ outreach, and what type of content is more effective (i.e. including religious references)
Testing the effectiveness of free community screening events rather than ‘door to door’ eye screenings
Testing the ability of CHEs to accurately screen clients for presbyopia
Testing whether CHEs will be aware of the benefits of glasses (both for their customers and businesses) following the training
Looking ahead: Optimism Amid Challenges
Despite encountering some challenges, the MLC Collaboration remains optimistic about the project's progress and potential impact on farmers' eye health. Both RestoringVision and Healthy Entrepreneurs acknowledge that executing a pilot of this scale is a learning process, and they are committed to continuously improving the project's implementation. The longer term ambition, if this pilot works, is to replicate the program and roll it out across the Healthy Entrepreneurs network.
By harnessing the power of collaboration, innovation, and strategic planning, the MLC Collaboration aims to unlock access to eye care for farmers and underserved communities. Through the joint efforts of RestoringVision and Healthy Entrepreneurs, the vision of basic healthcare for all, even in the most remote areas, comes closer to becoming a tangible reality.
—---------------------
About the Partners:
Healthy Entrepreneurs focuses on unlocking remote communities' access to basic healthcare, empowering men and women to become community health entrepreneurs. They deliver a range of affordable health products and services to the last mile, driving development and self-reliance. Through their last-mile distribution model, Healthy Entrepreneurs proves that medical care in remote areas is possible, making it cheaper, more effective, and more sustainable.
RestoringVision is committed to providing reading glasses to those in need worldwide, addressing the lack of access to vision care and its impact on people's lives. Their mission aligns perfectly with the vision of the MLC Collaboration—to improve eye health, productivity, and well-being in underserved communities.
