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BUREAU FOR INCLUSIVE GROWTH, PARTNERSHIPS, AND INNOVATION (IPI)

LOCAL, FAITH, AND TRANSFORMATIVE PARTNERSHIPS HUB

Limited Excess Property Program

August 2024

The Limited Excess Property Program (LEPP) provides Private Voluntary Organizations (PVOs) access to federal surplus property to support their humanitarian and development projects abroad. LEPP utilizes an innovative model of recovery and reuse to support a variety of development projects that promote sustainability in developing countries. LEPP is managed by USAID's American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA) Initiative, which is part of the Bureau for Inclusive Growth, Partnerships, and Innovation's Local, Faith, and Transformative Partnerships (LFT) Hub.

THIRD QUARTER LEPP PROPERTY TRANSFER HIGHLIGHTS

A variety of items valued at $1,545,057 were requisitioned and processed through LEPP in the third quarter of fiscal year 2024. Most of the property was earmarked for regional hospitals and health care centers that serve remote populations in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

• CharityVision, in partnership with LEPP, accessed a Tonopens tonometer worth $69,519 that will ship to Tanzania. The equipment will be used by CharityVision’s partners, including Madewell Charitable Health Centre, Mvumi Mission Hospital, Bugando Medical Centre, and Majey Smart Vision Eye Clinic in various hospitals, at base stations, and during screening camps. Tonometers are used to screen for glaucoma. Like cataracts, glaucoma is a prevalent disease in Tanzania requiring significant attention and health care resources. CharityVision partners screen approximately 200,000 patients for glaucoma annually.

• CURE International, in partnership with LEPP, accessed one modular mini fragment set worth $40,314 and one test kit x-ray worth $11,147 that will ship to Ethiopia. The equipment will be allocated to CURE Children’s Hospital of Ethiopia. The mini frag set is an instrument and implant set consisting of plates and screws used in orthopedic surgery to keep small bone trauma and injuries/fractures in a fixed and stable position to heal. The equipment is beneficial for adolescents and young adults aged 12 – 21 as well as for people with osteopenic (calcium deficient) bone. The test kit x-ray is designed specifically for C-arms which are used for nearly all orthopedic surgical procedures. The test kit x-ray provides everything necessary for the biomedical technician at CURE Ethiopia to perform comprehensive service and calibration on the five C-arms at the facility. 

• World Help, in partnership with LEPP, accessed 2,320 nitrile exam gloves worth $41,760 that will ship to Honduras. The gloves will be delivered to hospitals nationwide, including the Escuela Universitario hospital in Tegucigalpa, the largest hospital in Honduras which serves a population of 1.5 million. World Help also accessed nitrile exam gloves worth $167,040 that will ship to Burundi, Peru, Rwanda, and Zambia. Using nitrile gloves in health care settings provides a superior barrier to contaminants and pathogens, reducing the risk of infection transmission.

Pakistani Children are Seeing a Brighter Future with CharityVision/LEPP Support

PHOTO CREDIT: CHARITYVISION. PAKISTANI CHILDREN BEING SCREENED DURING A "SIGHTBUDDIES" OUTREACH.

Mehboob CharityVision’s (MCV) Pakistan eye health programs have expanded exponentially thanks to equipment donated through the Limited Excess Property Program (LEPP). One such eye health program is MCV’s “SightBuddies” initiative. Established in 2021, “SightBuddies” works to ensure that every child in Pakistan has access to essential eye health services. “SightBuddies” partners with schools across Pakistan to conduct comprehensive vision screenings that identify early signs of vision impairment. The program enables timely interventions, donates eyeglasses to children in need, and helps improve educational outcomes. Committed to fostering a brighter future for children, “SightBuddies” not only provides screenings and diagnoses, but also educates families and communities about the importance of regular eye check-ups and proper eye care practices.

In 2022, “SightBuddies” conducted free eye screening camps and outreaches at the Prime Academy and Next Level School, both in District Mansehra. The object of the outreaches was to control the steady increase of non-communicable diseases that negatively impact children’s vision, including congenital cataracts, premature retinopathy, retinoblastoma, and cerebral palsy. The outreaches were conducted using equipment received through LEPP. Total equipment donated to “SightBuddies” through LEPP in 2022 included two ophthalmoscopes, two slit lamps, a scope charger, a retinoscope, a trial lens set, and a trial frame set. In 2022, the program screened 23,037 patients, administered 4,085 medicines, distributed 1,394 pairs of eyeglasses, and held 151 screening camps.

In 2023, “SightBuddies” conducted another free eye screening camp at Government Johar Public High School in District Mansehra. The screening focused on non-communicable diseases affecting children’s vison as well as environmental risks like poor water supply and conditions such as allergic eye diseases and uncorrected refractive errors. Total equipment donated to “SightBuddies” through LEPP in 2023 included three slit laps and two autorefractors. In 2023, the program screened 35,512 patients, distributed 6,036 pairs of eyeglasses, and conducted 323 outreaches.

Here are just a few stories about how “SightBuddies” is helping Pakistani children in need to see a brighter future.

PHOTO CREDIT: CHARITYVISION. SIX-YEAR-OLD MARYAM WITH HER NEW PAIR OF EYEGLASSES.

In 2022, 6-year-old Maryam was an enthusiastic first grader at the Next Level School, eager to study and full of joy and laughter. Unfortunately, Maryam’s eyesight began to weaken until it became so blurry that she was unable to read. This frustrated and embarrassed Maryam who had always been a good student. 

She reached the point where she no longer wanted to attend school. Fortunately, MCV’s “SightBuddies” team visited the Next Level School where they conducted eye examinations on students using LEPP-donated ophthalmic equipment. Maryam was one of the children who received a new pair of eyeglasses. “SightBuddies” opened Maryam’s eyes to a world of possibilities in school and in life. “Wow!” she exclaimed when she put on her new eyeglasses. “I see everything so clearly!” Maryam now wants to be a doctor when she grows up so she can help others the same way “SightBuddies” helped her.

PHOTO CREDIT: CHARITYVISION. EIGHT-YEAR-OLD AMIR WITH HIS NEW PAIR OF EYEGLASSES.

Eight-year-old Amir also suffered from poor vision which caused him to lag far behind in his studies at the Prime Academy school. Amir was frustrated and his family worried his poor eyesight would hinder him for the rest of his life. 

Then, in 2022, the “SightBuddies” team held a screening at the Prime Academy and diagnosed Amir with refractive error. Amir received a new pair of eyeglasses and was so happy about this gift of sight that he couldn’t stop smiling. Amir now wants to become an optometrist so he can prevent other children from falling behind in their studies due to poor vision.

PHOTO CREDIT: CHARITYVISION. IFTIKHAR WITH HIS NEW PAIR OF EYEGLASSES.

In 2023, Iftikhar was an intelligent 10th-grade student at the Government Johar Public High School located in District Mansehra. His father, a shopkeeper, dreamed that Iftikhar would become a doctor one day. But there was one major obstacle—Iftikhar had difficulty studying because of his poor eyesight. Also, his eyes were constantly watering and extremely sensitive to the sun. 

Iftikhar’s eye condition made him feel self-conscious, so he tended to shy away from people. Thankfully, in August 2023, “SightBuddies” visited Iftikhar’s school to conduct an eye screening. Iftikhar had never had a medical checkup before. The doctor examined Iftikhar’s eyes and prescribed him dry eye and allergy eyedrops. Once Iftikhar’s symptoms improved, “SightBuddies” provided him with a new pair of eyeglasses. With the proper diagnosis and a new pair of eyeglasses, Iftikhar is progressing in his studies and eager to see what the future holds. His improved vision even boosted his confidence so his personality could shine through.

PHOTO CREDIT: CHARITYVISION. IJAZ WITH HIS NEW PAIR OF EYEGLASSES.

In 2023, Ijaz was a 9th-grade student at the Government Johar Public High School in District Mansehra. Ijaz enjoyed playing cricket but suffered from headaches and struggled to follow the ball’s movement because of his squint eye problems. Ijaz wanted to pursue higher education and dreamed of becoming a cricketer for the national team if only his eye problems could be resolved.

During the “SightBuddies” screening camp at Ijaz’s school, a doctor recommended a daily eye exercise program for Ijaz to follow. The routine exercises helped Ijaz control his eye movements, allowing his eyes to work together properly. The doctor then referred Ijaz to MCV to assess his visual impairments and provide any needed surgery. Finally, Ijaz was provided with a free pair of eyeglasses. Ijaz and his family were thankful to “SightBuddies” for their expert and compassionate care. Now Ijaz can set his sights on becoming a cricketer for the national team.

With LEPP support, MCV programs like “SightBuddies” is lowering the risk of blindness from cataracts, decreasing the prevalence of other adverse eye conditions, and effectively reducing the burden of eye disease in Pakistan. Without the LEPP/CharityVision partnership, Pakistan, and many other countries in which CharityVision has programs, would be left without desperately needed eye health care.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

PARTNER WITH THE LFT HUB

The Limited Excess Property Program is part of the Local, Faith, and Transformative Partnerships (LFT) Hub, situated within USAID's Bureau for Inclusive Growth, Partnerships, and Innovation (IPI). The LFT Hub focuses on strengthening USAID’s ability to partner with non-traditional and diverse actors including local, faith-based, and community organizations; schools and hospitals; foundations; diaspora communities; cooperatives; and volunteer organizations.

Stay up to date with all the latest information from USAID’s LFT Hub by subscribing to additional newsletters from other LFT Hub initiatives! Learn more about the LFT Hub here:

• American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA)

• Cooperative Development Program (CDP)

• Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships (FBNP)

• Limited Excess Property Program (LEPP)

• Locally Led Development Initiatives (LLDI)

• New Partnerships Initiative (NPI)

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! 

Your stories, photos, videos, and news releases are always welcome. Help us spread the good news about your work and partnership with LEPP. Also, LEPP PVOs and Missions, please notify us of your upcoming LEPP-related public diplomacy events. Please send information to LEPP@USAID.gov.

For further information on the LEPP program, please email: LEPP@USAID.gov.

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