Project Overview

Kakuma Glasses uses simple and effective test and manufacturing processes to give refugees glasses. We partnered with a pharmacy within the Kakuma refugee camp to distribute glasses to refugees using your donations; for every $10 donated, someone receives a test and a free pair of glasses.

The Story

The idea for Kakuma Glasses came during a conversation with a doctor at Hoopes Vision, who mentioned that he had been working to produce a cheap way to administer eye tests. The team here at Maak Impact realized the impact this could have in Kakuma, and met with Hoopes Vision and a glasses manufacturing social venture called .glasses to figure out what could be done. Soon, we got the tests, partnered with .glasses, and met a refugee named Gilbert who was willing to distribute them within the camp. 

Gilbert is originally from Burundi, where he received a pharmacy diploma before seeking refuge in Kakuma in 2012. He started his pharmacy in 2015, and began administering tests and distributing glasses in August of 2024.

Impact Projections

Within the first month of funding and conception (August 2024), Kakuma Glasses gave out 86 pairs of glasses. We aim to give out 100 to 200 pairs of glasses a month, based on your donations, with an eventual goal of giving 10,000 pairs of glasses to refugees in Kakuma.

Get Involved

The best way to help is by donating! Each increment of $10 buys a pair of glasses, a test, covers international transfer costs, and supports Gilbert’s pharmacy. So donating $100 would buy 10 pairs of glasses! Each refugee that receives glasses will get them free of charge, with only a request to tell their friends and film a thank-you video, which you will receive for each person that receives glasses from your donation.