Working with Peace Corps volunteers in Morocco we helped young adults at ten sites around the country get the glasses they need.

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Introduction

During 2010 we were approached by a Peace Corps volunteer who wished to provide glasses to the young adults she worked with in Morocco. We've now provided nearly 800 glasses to 10 sites all over Morocco, and are working to continue this. In this case study we're documenting the projects, our learnings from them and suggestions for future projects you may wish to run.
Morocco is a north African country with a population of about 35 million people. It has a fast-growing economy, but great variations in wealth between the richest and poorest. With a nominal GDP per capita of about $3,100 (2011 estimate), it is a country in transition.

The projects we are working with are mainly in rural towns, and remote villages, where the national healthcare system does not reach adequately. Knowledge of glasses is widespread, but access is not, particularly to prescription distance eyewear.

Morocco
Peace Corps volunteers work in many countries round the world, and are in-country for around 2 years. During this time they run local development projects, teaching English, and working with local organisations to help develop their local area.

Each volunteer set up a project in their area in collaboration with a local organisation, for example the local Dar Shabab (Youth Centre). Local organisation and community leaders were asked to come up with screening lists of those who have previously had issues with poor vision. Each site received Eyejusters in different colours as well as a small selection of reading glasses. In some locations the distribution was expanded to older people served by the local organisation.

The Projects

Partners

The most important part of any project is people on the ground, and we were lucky enough to work with members of the Peace Corps in Morocco.
Created in 1961, the Peace Corps has sent over 200,000 volunteers from the US to serve in 139 host countries around the world to work on a wide range of development issues. Set up by US President John F. Kennedy, they have retained their focus on their original goals:

  • Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
  • Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
  • Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.

Volunteers often set up development projects in their communities, in response to local needs. We were approached by one volunteer who wished to bring Eyejusters to her village, to help those she worked with day-to-day see clearly. Thanks to interest from other volunteers, the number of sites expanded - a great example of grassroots development in action.

Peace Corps