Resources for the Blind, Inc. (RBI) is a Christian, non-governmental organization (NGO) that provides services, trainings, materials, and equipment for vision treatment across the Philippines. The Philippines has an estimated half a million blind individuals as well as thousands more who are visually impaired. The leading causes of vision problems among children in the Philippines are preventable, such as poor nutrition, measles, and premature birth. Detecting and treating these symptoms early can help improve vision and prevent blindness.
Through a grant awarded under Advancing Partners & Communities (APC), RBI builds the capacity of community health workers to administer Primary Eye Care. RBI partners with local government units to provide Primary Eye Care training and screenings nationwide. The organization also partners with local colleges of optometry to work with students for their practicum. Additionally, the program purchases the equipment and low vision devices for a Low Vision Center at the Department of Health Hospital, East Avenua Medicant Center in the Philippines.