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Unite For Sight's Volunteers of the Year

Unite For Sight's success can be attributed to its 4,000 dedicated volunteers in 25 countries spanning the globe. Each volunteer propels Unite For Sight's ability to provide eye care services to communities worldwide. Unite For Sight's Volunteers of the Year for 2004 are being recognized for their remarkable dedication to the organization. These individuals are representatives for all of Unite For Sight's energetic volunteers who selflessly devoted millions of hours during 2004 to improving eye health.

Carlos Álvarez Aragüés (Spain)

Mr. Carlos Álvarez Aragüés, a translation teacher in Spain, has translated all of Unite For Sight's materials into Spanish, including: the Unite For Sight Online Eye Health Course, the parent site, the teen site, as well as upcoming sites for teachers and a site about environmental health. He devotes countless hours to meticulously translating all of the texts to ensure their perfection.

Carlos lives in Jaca (Province of Huesca, Spain). He studied Philology in Zaragoza University and Strathclyde University (Glasgow, Scotland). He has taught English, Spanish, and translation courses in the International University "Menéndez Pelayo," UIMP and the Provincial Institute of Further Education - IPFACOR (Córdoba, Spain), and the Barcelona-based Open University of Catalonia (an online university).

Carlos decided to become a Unite For Sight volunteer after a very close relative's daughter was born with a serious visual impairment. He came across Unite For Sight while searching the Internet for useful information about his relative's condition. "Needless to say," Carlos remarked, "I thought that spreading eye care and healthy habits across the world was a cause worth fighting for. I also thought that it wouldn't be a bad idea to make our website's information accessible to ever increasing Spanish speaking populations, so here I am. Maybe I should say "here we are," since my wife Amaya proofreads all of my texts and provides invaluable suggestions. I must say that her deep knowledge of Spanish from both continents, the extensive vocabulary that she commands and her competence in several languages is most useful."

"Carlos' translation is incredibly detail-oriented. We have received tremendous interest by volunteers worldwide interested in translating Unite For Sight materials into Spanish, but none reach the accuracy that Carlos achieves. He is very talented, and we are very fortunate to have a volunteer who has perfected the art of translation."

- Jennifer Staple, Founder, President & CEO

Samuel Baharestani (New York City, New York, USA)

Mr. Samuel Baharestani is Unite For Sight's Executive Vice President and the President of the NYU School of Medicine chapter. He became involved with Unite For Sight in early 2004, providing vision screenings and vision education programs with the NYU School of Medicine chapter. Sam soon joined Unite For Sight's Board of Directors and helped to organize the First Annual International Health Conference in April 2004 and Unite For Sight's Global Partners Symposium in October 2004. He also coordinated Unite For Sight's Join Hands Day Event on May 1, 2004, which received special recognition for excellence and a $1,000 award from the Points of Light Foundation and Fraternal Association. In addition to those achievements, Sam wrote a resolution proposed by Unite For Sight to the American Medical Association to encourage vision screenings and eye examinations for all preschool children.

Sam stated that he has also "worked locally to screen and educate New Yorkers about the importance of proper eye health via community vision screenings, taught medical students about physical diagnosis skills of the eye by collaborating with NYU School of Medicine's Department of Ophthalmology, and mobilized city-wide eyeglass drives for donation to patients in developing countries. I hope to continue to learn about Ophthalmology, Public Health, and making a difference with a sustainable solution through our non-profit organization in future endeavors locally, domestically, and abroad."

"Sam's phenomenal dedication has helped to propel Unite For Sight's success and enabled the organization to achieve its full potential. His tremendous leadership of the NYU School of Medicine chapter is a model for all other chapters of Unite For Sight, and it is an honor and privilege to work with him."

-Jennifer Staple, Founder, President & CEO

Jeremy Eden (Michigan, USA)

Mr. Jeremy Eden, a web designer by training and stay-at-home dad by profession, created Unite For Sight's web presence. He designed all of Unite For Sight's websites, including the main site, the online eye health course, the parent site, the teen site, the kids site, an upcoming site for teachers, and a site about environmental health. Jeremy also developed the various language versions for each website. He is available daily to update Unite For Sight's websites, add press releases, upload manuals and add new files.

Jeremy graduated cum laude from Michigan Technological University in 1996 with a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science and graduated from the University of Michigan in 2000 with a Master's Degree in Computer Science. He joined Unite For Sight because he wanted to use his talents and expertise to help a volunteer organization that is making a difference in the world.

"Jeremy's tireless, meticulous, and speedy work for Unite For Sight has helped facilitate our continued rapid growth. Technology has been vital to Unite For Sight's recruitment of volunteers, fundraising efforts, and the website also allows communities worldwide to contact us to request Unite For Sight Volunteer Teams to provide services to their communities. I consider Jeremy to be Unite For Sight's MVP - it is difficult to imagine where our ever-important web presence would be without him"

- Jennifer Staple, Founder, President & CEO
A picture of Sachin Jain

Sachin Jain (Chicago, Illinois, USA)

Mr. Sachin Jain is Unite For Sight's Regional Director of the Midwest and Regional Director of Tanzania. His interest in providing vision services to underserved communities began when he first started volunteering at free health clinics in Chicago as a first-year medical student. While other pressing medical problems would take precedence, eye care was neglected. Therefore, when he heard about Unite For Sight, he quickly moved to establish a chapter at Rush Medical College.

Since early 2004, Sachin has designed and developed Unite For Sight programs all over the world. Soon after creating the chapter at Rush Medical College, Sachin created a game entitled "Pin the Carrot on the Pupil," first implemented in Chicago at Unite For Sight's First Annual Eye Health Day. Children are given a paper cutout of a carrot, spin in a circle with their eyes closed, and try to place the carrot in the center of an eye poster. This game, modeled on the popular "Pin the Tail on the Donkey," reinforces to children the importance of eating foods with Vitamin A to prevent eye disease, including xerophthalmia. Shortly thereafter, Sachin's game was implemented by Unite For Sight volunteers in communities throughout the world, from Chicago, Illinois to India and Tanzania.

A Schweitzer Fellow in Chicago, Sachin is developing a city-wide eye health initiative to provide comprehensive eye care and surgery services to the medically uninsured. He also single-handedly initiated new chapters of Unite For Sight at four universities in Chicago as well as other universities throughout the country.

In addition to leading Unite For Sight's programs in the United States, Sachin also directs Unite For Sight's programs in Tanzania. During Summer 2004, he volunteered for one month in Nyamuswa, Tanzania to prescribe eyeglasses, screen for operable cataracts, and implement eye health education programs for children and adults. Sachin met with people throughout Tanzania to develop a cataract surgery program for the people of Nyamuswa, and the first sight-restoring cataract surgeries were provided to the community in September 2004.

Sachin explained that "here in Chicago, if I don't become a doctor, people will still receive care. On the other hand, if I had not been in rural Tanzania this summer, the outcome for many people would have been quite different. My experience made me realize how crucial it is for me to pursue this kind of work."

"Sachin is one of the most enthusiastic, energetic, dedicated, and innovative Unite For Sight Volunteers. He is an invaluable volunteer, sincerely interested in improving eye health in communities worldwide. Sachin's tremendous energy is infectious, and his mind is always churning out new ideas!"

- Jennifer Staple, Founder, President & CEO
A picture of Yasha Modi

Yasha Modi (New York City, New York, USA)

Mr. Yasha Modi is Unite For Sight's Director of Chapter Development and Relations and founding President of the chapter at New York University (NYU). A fourth year student at NYU, he helped to organize Unite For Sight's First Annual International Health Conference in April 2004 and Unite For Sight's Global Partners Symposium in October 2004. Yasha also coordinated Unite For Sight's Fall 2004 Eye Health Festival in New York City, which provided vision screenings and vision education programs to children and adults in downtown Manhattan. Additionally, Yasha is helping to organize a benefit concert in New York City that will be held in February 2005.

Beyond his leadership of Unite For Sight, Yasha is also a talented golfer, placing second in an impressive line-up of golfers at Opticare's Inaugural Golf Tournament to benefit Unite For Sight in September 2004.

Yasha's interest in ophthalmology began during high school when he traveled to the LRBT Free Eye Hospital in Korangi, Pakistan to volunteer during two of his high school spring breaks. There as a volunteer, he also observed cataract surgeries and comprehensive eye exams.

"Yasha has tremendous ideas and vision for Unite For Sight, and his ideas about national and international eye care are invaluable to the organization. His leadership of the NYU chapter should serve as a model for all other Unite For Sight chapters."

- Jennifer Staple, Founder, President & CEO
A picture of Henry Li,Sylvie Gardet, and Silvia Odorcic in Ghana

Silvia Odorcic (Toronto, Canada), Sylvie Gardet (Geneva, Switzerland), Henry Li (Portland, Oregon, USA)

Ms. Silvia Odorcic, Ms. Sylvie Gardet, and Mr. Henry Li are Unite For Sight's Volunteer Team of the Year. From November 1 through December 28, the trio volunteered in Humjibre, Ghana to prescribe eyeglasses, implement eye health education programs, screen for operable cataracts, and bring those with cataracts to the Cape Coast Christian Eye Center for sight-restoring surgery. They prescribed 500 eyeglasses and brought 26 patients to Cape Coast (a 5 hour distance) for surgery. The Humjibre community was very happy and grateful to have Silvia, Sylvie, and Henry improve eye health in their community and restore sight to those previously blinded by cataracts. The team was treated to many bananas, pineapples, and smiles!

Silvia and Sylvie will remain in Ghana through February 28 to implement an identical program at the Buduburam Refugee Camp, while Sylvie will remain in Ghana for 2 months to volunteer in the Bibiani Hospital near Humjibre. Both Sylvie and Silvia will also return to Humjibre for a short time in February to provide additional postoperative care to the patients.

Silvia Odorcic graduated in 2003 from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and English. While living in Toronto during the 2003-2004 academic year, she single handedly started a new Unite For Sight chapter at University of Toronto. At Unite For Sight's First Annual International Health Conference at NYU School of Medicine, Silvia presented her research about the role of the Notch signaling pathway in the tumorigenesis and tumor neovascularization of breast and colon adenocarcinomas. After completing her work in Humjibre, Ghana, Silvia described the response to the program from the people of Humjibre as "incredible - we were treated to more fruit than we could possibly consume, huge smiles, and gifts of gratitude for the attention and treatment performed and arranged by our two teams this year."

Sylvie Gardet is a medical student at University of Geneva Faculty of Medicine in Switzerland. When she started studying medicine, her objective was (and still is) to work for an association such as the Red Cross of Mececin Sans Frontiere. She decided to participate in Unite For Sight's program in Humjibre so that she could contribute to the development of the country. At the conclusion of her work in Humjibre, Ghana, Sylvie explained that her experience restoring sight to blind patients in Humjibre was "the best thing I've ever done in my life." Upon return to Switzerland in March, Sylvie plans to make a presentation at her medical school about her Unite For Sight work and raise funds for future cataract surgery programs.

Henry Li, who was born in Taiwan and moved to the United States when he was ten years old, is a computer engineer with medical aspirations. As he prepared academically for a career in medicine, his uncle began a long struggle with cancer. Henry witnessed this struggle, and his uncle's doctors and their staff became just like family. As a result of their care, Henry's uncle lived to see his son graduate, and he has a better life than ever before. This experience inspired Henry to participate in Unite For Sight and "become a giver of gifts like my uncle's doctors because I believe they are the greatest form of service I can offer to humankind."

"Silvia, Sylvie, and Henry are a tremendous team, and their tireless work in Humjibre has changed countless lives. Their enthusiasm and dedication is infectious, and I received a letter from one of the village members personally thanking me for their tremendous work. They epitomize Unite For Sight's spirit for volunteerism as well as the mission and
goals of the organization to empower communities worldwide to improve eye health and eliminate preventable blindness."

- Jennifer Staple, Founder, President & CEO
A picture of Sally Ong

Sally Ong (Malaysia; Durham, North Carolina, USA)

Ms. Sally Ong, hailing from Malaysia, is a second year student at Duke University. She is Unite For Sight's Director of International Outreach, as well as founding member and current President of the chapter at Duke. Sally takes every opportunity to participate in Unite For Sight's international programs. During Summer 2004, she prescribed eyeglasses, implemented eye health education programs, and participated in cataract surgery camps in Tanzania. During Winter 2005, Sally traveled to Henan, China, to prescribe eyeglasses and teach 1,500 children and teachers about eye health. During Summer 2005, Sally will participate in Unite For Sight's Buduburam Refugee Camp Program in Ghana; where she will again prescribe eyeglasses, educate the community about eye health, screen for operable cataracts, and bring those with cataracts to the Christian Eye Center in Tema for surgery.

In Durham, North Carolina, Sally organized Make A Difference Day in October 2004 at the Northgate Mall in Durham, North Carolina. The festival ran from 10 am to 4 pm and attracted 100 shoppers. The volunteers included undergraduate students, medical students, and ophthalmologists from the Duke Eye Center. Unite For Sight's Make A Difference Day in Durham was a tremendous success. Many participants offered positive feedback and good words. They also asked Unite For Sight's volunteers when they would return to Northgate Mall so that they could bring their family and friends to the event in the future.

Initially considering law for her career, Sally has recently placed medicine on the top of her career possibilities after participating in all of Unite For Sight's national and international programs.

"Sally's dedication and enthusiasm to Unite For Sight is tremendous. She not only participates in Unite For Sight's international volunteer opportunities, but she leads them with tremendous efficiency, energy, and fortitude. She consults with physicians prior
to and after the programs in order to maximize the ability of Unite For Sight to deliver the best services to communities. Sally's spirit of volunteerism is inspiring."

- Jennifer Staple, Founder, President & CEO
A picture of Joanne Pedro

Joanne Pedro (Manila, Philippines)

Ms. Joanne Pedro, a graphic designer in the Philippines by profession, designed all of Unite For Sight's websites, including the main site, the parent site, the teen site, the kid's site, an upcoming site for teachers, and a site about environmental health. Ms. Pedro also developed 3D graphics for Unite For Sight's Online Eye Health Course.

Joanne graduated with majors in Psychology and Marketing from De La Salle University in Manila. Since her first love is art, she pursued a creative career as a computer artist in a multinational video games and computer graphics company. A self-taught artist, she led her team in various computer graphics and design projects across all media for clients local and abroad.

"Joanne's graphic design work is of the highest quality, unique, and beautifully constructed. One of her first graphics for Unite For Sight illustrated the importance of vitamin A to the eye, and her design exceeds the quality in most medical textbooks. She went on to provide exquisite, easy-to-navigate designs for each of Unite For Sight's websites. Since Joanne's redesign of the Unite For Sight main website, we continuously receive compliments about the site."

- Jennifer Staple, Founder, President & CEO
A picture of Morgan Philbin

Morgan Philbin (Beijing, China)

Ms. Morgan Philbin, a 2004 graduate of Wesleyan University in the United States, is spending the year in China working with Aizhixing, a Chinese HIV/AIDS organization. She also coordinated Unite For Sight's Internship Program to provide free eye care to children and adults affected by HIV/AIDS in Henan, China from December 28, 2004 through January 10, 2005. While working full-time on HIV/AIDS work, she coordinated the Unite For Sight program by visiting Henan, speaking with school principals, meeting with professionals, and coordinating all of the Volunteer Team's logistics. Morgan also participated as a Unite For Sight volunteer in Shangcai and Weshi counties in Henan, providing eyeglasses and eye health education programs to 1,500 children and adults in four junior high schools, an AIDS orphanage, and two local villages.

"Morgan's dedication to Unite For Sight's programs are remarkable. She brings a tremendous enthusiasm, initiative, and determination to her volunteer work. She single-handedly introduced Unite For Sight's programs to China."

- Jennifer Staple, Founder, President & CEO
A picture of Erika Reinhart

Erika Reinhart (New Jersey, USA)

Ms. Erika Reinhart is a graphic designer by profession, and her exquisite print designs for Unite For Sight have been distributed worldwide. She began her work with Unite For Sight by designing a brochure about the organization, which has been distributed to 10,000 people. Erika's banner design pictorially illustrating Unite For Sight's comprehensive programs was displayed at the American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting. She also designed Unite For Sight's Holiday Cards that were sent to donors and designed several conference and sponsor brochures

Erika graduated from Cabrini College in 2000 with a Bachelor's Degree in graphic design. She previously worked in advertising and is currently the designer for a patient education company in New Jersey.

Erika says that "the volunteer projects that I work on are the most enjoyable and rewarding of anything that I do. I only wish that I had more time to volunteer. I encourage everyone to find an opportunity to give their time and expertise to a good cause."

"Erika's remarkable print designs beautifully represent Unite For Sight's work. Her enthusiasm for volunteerism and superb graphic design has transformed
Unite For Sight's ability to visually represent our programs. Her talent is impressive."

- Jennifer Staple, Founder, President & CEO
A picture of Ganesh Subedi

Ganesh Subedi (Kathmandu, Nepal)

Ganesh Subedi is a pharmaceutical student at Kathmandu University in Nepal. After contacting Unite For Sight at the end of September about his interest in starting a chapter of Unite For Sight, Mr. Subedi immediately mobilized other students at Kathmandu to implement eye health programs in the community. Incredibly, within just one month, the Kathmandu University chapter launched its first eye health program. The chapter's 22 pharmacy students, led by Ganesh, organized a one-day program that focused on people in remote villages and those with little access to eye services. The chapter educated children and adults about the risks of eye disease and methods of prevention. Two ophthalmologists and several nurses from Dhulikhel Hospital participated, and the hospital also donated equipment to provide vision screenings.

"Ganesh Subedi has been selected as one of Unite For Sight's Volunteers of the Year for his impressive leadership of the Unite For Sight chapter at Kathmandu University. He has tremendous initiative, motivation, and commitment to volunteerism. His ability to
mobilize the group and implement the first eye health education program within one month is remarkable."

- Jennifer Staple, Founder, President & CEO