Clear Vision

India Post News Service

Have you ever looked through blurry glasses or tried to read a faded piece of text? It’s such relief when you can finally see clearly again, right? Now try to imagine you had that blurry vision all the time- fuzzy, frustrating and makes getting through life so much more difficult. Being unable to see clearly affects every part of someone’s life, from learning to simple everyday tasks to the larger challenges in life we all face.

That’s why AINAK is here: we believe access to clear vision is for everyone. And clear vision is so accessible- an eye exam and a pair of glasses can do so very much for so very little money.

But even today, many people lack access to this very basic and affordable care. For all the modern inventions and technology, a simple pair of glasses can change the world.

Who is AINAK?

AINAK was founded by Poonam Goyal, a banking and mortgage professional for over 35 years. While working at a local credit union she volunteered at local underprivileged [a] schools and noticed right away that some children were struggling more than others. She hadn’t really thought about eye care, her focus was on teaching. The kids having trouble were bright enough, so what was the problem?

She noticed students in the back who were not engaged in class at all, they were not paying attention or learning. When she brought them to the front of the classroom, suddenly they could see the board and follow the teacher. At this point she realized that poor or uncorrected vision could be the root of many of their problems.

And the solution is available: a simple eye exam, a vision diagnosis and glasses – Affordable, reliable and accessible.

This is where AINAK comes in: it is our mission to bring clear vision to everyone.

We provide access to testing and for glasses to those who need it most. We do more than simply diagnose, we offer real world, real time solutions. By leveraging the generosity of donors, vendors and providers, we can provide clear vision to those who simply cannot see well. Using our network of optometrists, ophthalmologists and opticians, we can change a person’s entire life and in fact, their entire outlook on life.

Where does AINAK work?

While the need for eye care is global, for now AINAK’s current mission is in the Greater Bay area, stretching from north of Oakland through Silicon Valley. We know that taking care of our community is key; we invest in our neighbors, colleagues and friends. As our program grows, we look to extend beyond our local area.

How Does AINAK Work?

With the help of our partners and incredibly generous donors, we offer vision exams and access to sight correcting equipment, such as glasses. Millions of pairs of frames and lenses discarded every year; we make use of them so there is never a charge for our clients. Many of the donated eyeglasses are sent to an eye care nonprofits in India for the millions there who also will benefit from clearer sight.

This allows both access to glasses that would be otherwise unaffordable to anyone who needs them, as well as reducing the environmental impact of all those pairs of discarded glasses, unused and ending up in a landfill.

This environmentally sustainable approach then supports our work in a financially responsible manner. 

We’d love your help:

You can be part of the clear vision solution. Your generosity and donation allows a child, a senior or someone with limited resources to take advantage of one of the biggest gifts in life, that of clear vision. Partner with AINAK, see the future with us.

Impact of AINAK: Please know that your support means a life is improved immediately, not sometime in the future. You can make the positive change that profoundly improves someone’s life and that of those around them.

Please join us:

If you wear glasses or contacts, you already know the profound importance of good sight. If you have been fortunate enough to not need vision correction, you can share the gift of clear sight quickly, and forever.

Give the gift of sight and change someone’s life: please donate today.To learn more:  myainak.org Register to be a volunteer. Your help is priceless!To donate your gently used glasses send an email donate@myainak.org

Testimonials:

Marc was a talented and inspired movie engineer until his sight deteriorated so much he was unable to get out until AINAK help out:

“I was delighted & it was an unexpected gift to get my glasses through Ainak. The doctor was great at solving issues I had in the past & the entire process was smooth, professional & effortless. I was happy to safely drive again with my new glasses. Thanks to such a great organization!” – Marc Thorpe

Osmar’ sight was so bad, he lost his driver’s license, couldn’t drive and work to support his family: “Hello, my name is Osmar Jaime and I just wanted to thank this nonprofit organization for helping people like myself out here to get us a pair of reading glasses. For me it was an awesome opportunity because I haven’t worn glasses and my sight has gotten worse, my last pair of prescription glasses was on the 5th grade and thanks to my astigmatism I need to use them everyday; and thanks to you guys I was able to get my eye exam after 15-16 years of not owning a pair of glasses now I will receive not one, but two! pairs  and I’m very grateful.

Thanks to this I can move on forward to getting my drivers license, since I renewed it they wouldn’t give it back to me because I failed my basic eye exam at the DMV and was denied my license until I had my glasses and now I will certainly do that and move one step forward, again thank you for everything and may God bless you with triple.”