20 years of restoring sight

ID# Mr AB Sample 10 Graysons Lane Mount Eden Auckland

4 October 2013

Private Bag 99909 Newmarket 1149 | 0800 227 229 | hollows.org.nz

Dear ((Salutation)),

I want to tell you the story of three pairs of eyes

…one pair milky with cataracts and sorrow…

…one pair warm and brown – trained to see a way to help…

…and the pair of eyes you see in the mirror each morning.

There’s a connection between these eyes – perhaps stronger than you know.

The first pair belongs to a 58-year-old man named Siaosi, from ‘Eua in Tonga. Vigorous and strong, Siaosi always took care of his family. He was a driver for the Forest Ministry – until his eyesight gradually deserted him. By the time he came to a Fred Hollows Foundation surgical outreach in Nuku’alofa, he was fully blind and entirely dependent on his wife. He knows that the loss of his income is a big burden to his family – as is the care he must always have.

The second pair of eyes belongs to Luseane, the nurse who watched over Siaosi. Luseane, from Vava’u, was trained by The Foundation. She returned home to Tonga after her training because she knows that’s where she’s needed most. Like all of the nurses and doctors we train, Luseane is dedicated to restoring sight to those who are needlessly blind.

And you already know about your eyes. Brown, blue, green or hazel, you see the world with compassion, giving when you can to the causes that make the most sense.

At The Fred Hollows Foundation we are proud to carry on the legacy of the late Kiwi eye doctor Fred Hollows. And we are proud to have your trust, and grateful that we can count on your support.

Now I’m asking you to make another donation. Your last generous gift was (($MRC)). Can we count on you for that gift again – or perhaps even more?

When you generously donate, you do so much more than ensure the end of avoidable blindness for people like Siaosi. You also help us support the dedicated local professionals from our training programs (like Luseane) so the benefit of excellent eye care doesn’t just fly away when our surgical teams pack up to leave after an outreach. Because of Luseane and others like her, the islands of Tonga now have far better access to eye care than ever before…

…and not a moment too soon, either.

Siaosi left the clinic with what’s known locally as the “banana smile” – his quiet, brooding face split almost in two by the power of his uncontrollable grin. He walked beside his wife, not led by her – he traveled home and saw the faces of his grandchildren. He went back to work and is caring for his family again.

But in fact we could only restore vision to one of his eyes.

Due to an old injury, the other eye was simply too far gone. Luseane explained that if he’d had access to an eye clinic a few years earlier, the doctors might have been able to save the sight in both eyes.

I know you see this as I do: We are accomplishing tremendous things…

…but there is so much more yet to be done. Your support can make a real difference.

Help us to support the eye care professionals we train. Ensure they can bring care to the needlessly blind across the Pacific Islands, Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste. Fund the surgeries that save the sight of men, women, and children.

I look to you – with your compassionate eyes – to ask for your generous support again. Together we can change the legacy of vision in a part of the world where blindness reduces one to immobility and complete dependence.

I ask in celebration of Siaosi, whose eyes are now crinkled with joy. I ask in honor of Luseane, whose kind eyes watch over those in her care. I ask for the eyes of all those who still need our help. Will you please donate generously, right away?

You have my deepest thanks,

Andrew BellExecutive Director

Photos: James Ensing-Trussell/Topic

PS: Too many people are blind unnecessarily. Your generous gift helps The Fred Hollows Foundation not just provide care to individuals but also to ensure the training and support of local eye care professionals so communities can help themselves. Can I count on your kindness once again? Thank you!

Yes, I see!

Mr AB Sample 10 Graysons Lane Mount Eden AucklandID#00000

So I enclose my most generous gift of:

Ask 1 Ask 2 Ask 3 Other $_______________________

I will make my gift by: Cheque/Money order enclosed made out to The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ

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I would like: Details on how to make regular monthly donations by direct debit, credit card or automatic payment

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I have already made provision for The Foundation in my Will

Thank you for your support!

20 years of restoring sight

Charities Commission No. CC23722

PhoneSupporter Services 0800 227 229

MailThe Fred Hollows Foundation Private Bag 99909, Newmarket, Auckland 1149

Onlinewww.hollows.org.nz

Internet banking38-9008-0866758-06 Please include your ID# 00000 so we can thank you!

Please return this form to us in the enclosed postage paid envelope. We appreciate gifts of any size. Contributions of $5 or more are tax-deductible and will be receipted. Up to 33% of your gift may be claimed back as a tax rebate.

The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ has a smart solution to a real need – and I want to help restore sight!