SKYGEN
SKYGEN International Foundation’s charter project in Tanzania has come a long way since it held its first mobile vision clinic in a field six years ago. Expanding the roster of local and international active partners, hiring a local team, launching permanently-housed clinics, continuing mobile clinics, and getting to know and understand the people of Tanzania have all been exciting milestones under Sweeney’s leadership. It’s been an incredible personal journey for Lisa as well, and she recently gave us a glimpse into her experiences.
Q: How has the Foundation met or exceeded your expectations regarding its mission in its first six years?
Lisa: Our first trip in July 2018 was a bit of a test. Our American-Tanzanian team was unsure what the response would be, but the turnout for every one of the five clinics - at five different locations, was overwhelming. We had to turn people away because the sun went down and we had no lights, and that was heartbreaking. Some of those people walked miles and sat there all day waiting for glasses. We knew we had to do more. Two weeks later the Tanzanian team members went back to those locations to help the people we had to turn away.
I didn’t anticipate the need and the growth we have experienced. We recently performed our 250,000th vision test – imagine touching the lives of a quarter million people! Even better is the number of school children, with their future ahead of them. Vision testing and providing on-the-spot glasses has helped move kids from the bottom of the class to the top, and helped children with Albinism who are already so persecuted, to see. In total, over 65,000 people now see better because of this small vision we had for helping others.
In its first 6 years, SKYGEN International Foundation has provided more than 256,000 vision tests and 65,000 pairs of glasses to people in need.
We never expected to expand into Kenya, yet now we have a strong program there as well. We work with the schools to test the students and we perform clinics for the general public five days a week. We also never expected to move into dental, yet our partnership with Miracle Corners Tanzania has allowed us to provide dental education to almost 250,000 people and screenings, toothbrushes and toothpaste to almost 100,000 people. We have also established two brick and mortar locations for people to come to us for services because the need is there.
Q: How has your collaborative partnership strategy enabled the Foundation to expand its impact?
Lisa: By working with other organizations local to the area, we’ve moved through government processes much faster and easier so we can get to the people we want to help. For example, just this past week, the Arusha Regional Eye Coordinator invited us to participate in a seven-day medical camp. In the first five days we did vision tests for 2,013 people and gave away 1,668 pairs of glasses – with two days left to go! Our partnership with Miracle Corners Tanzania has allowed us to help provide oral health education hundreds of thousands of people. Working with Essilor provides us with a pipeline for our glasses stock, which we now have direct-shipped from Asia. They even trained our team members to cut the stronger prescription lens so we don’t have to wait for them to be cut in Nairobi, thus getting glasses to people even faster.
Q: What have you come to understand about the people of Tanzania and Kenya?
Lisa: They are just so appreciative. The world they live in is so different from ours and they are so happy. I love the children who are so open and loving. I love seeing the reactions when people first put on the glasses. I never really thought an accountant could do much to change people’s lives, but that’s what my team is doing!
Q: What has been more difficult than you expected?
Lisa: Navigating government approvals. It’s disappointing to run into constant roadblocks from people in authority. We’re making inroads, but some new person always seems to pop up to slow down the process.
Q: What has the Foundation and its work meant to SKYGEN as an organization?
Lisa: Craig Kasten [founder of SKYGEN and SKYGEN International Foundation] is a very philanthropic man. The Foundation fulfills his dream to give back using the tools of the company he created. I believe the Foundation shows our clients, team members and others that SKYGEN truly cares about people and is working to provide a better life for those lacking access to basic healthcare.
Q: As the Foundation celebrates its 6th anniversary, what message do you want to share?
Lisa: You just can’t imagine how amazing it is to help improve people’s lives. We are so fortunate to have access to the things we need, and much of the world does not. Imagine going through life not even knowing you need glasses because that’s the way you’ve always seen, so it is normal for you. Then suddenly you actually can see.
Supporting our work is so easy. Our glasses don’t cost $200. Most cost about $5 and the really strong prescriptions – for those who need vision correction the most – can cost about $20. As Craig says, “Who knows, one of these kids could grow up and change the world, and we opened the door by ensuring they can see the chalkboard!” It’s pretty cool stuff.
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