Welcome to Greg Health Care Foundation (GHCF), a charitable non-governmental organization established in 2023 with the mission of improving the quality of life for persons with disabilities. GHCF is committed to promoting social inclusion and reducing poverty through a holistic approach that emphasizes respect, acceptability, and dignity for all individuals. Founded by Greg Smith Heavens, who is visually impaired himself, GHCF is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and operates globally, with a focus on East Africa

Vision: At GHCF, our vision is to create an inclusive society where individuals with different abilities are empowered to lead fulfilling lives.

Mission: Our mission is to rehabilitate and empower persons with disabilities, enabling them to live dignified and productive lives through inclusive education, livelihood improvement, healthcare, research, and advocacy.

Core Values:

1. Integrity: Upholding the highest ethical standards with honesty, fairness, and transparency in all our operations.
2. Customer Focus: Treating all stakeholders equitably and upholding the highest standards in service delivery.
3. Inclusivity: Ensuring people with disabilities are included in everyday activities and have roles similar to their peers, with adequate policies and practices in place.
4. Responsiveness: Having regard and responding to the interests and needs of persons with disabilities in providing services and appropriate devices.
5. Accountability: Being transparent and accountable to our beneficiaries, members, partners, and the public.

Objectives:

1. Developing and providing low-cost assistive/supportive appliances through appropriate technology to meet the needs of persons with disabilities, particularly in rural communities.
2. Creating awareness about the causes, prevention, and management of various disabilities, aiming to reduce prevalence and overcome prejudices and traditional beliefs towards persons with disabilities.
3. Promoting quality rehabilitation services, including medical and social rehabilitation, as well as economic empowerment.
4. Networking with the government and other partners to effectively coordinate activities targeting persons with disabilities, minimizing duplication of services.
5. Promoting the formation of grassroots groups of persons with disabilities to increase their self-confidence, full participation in their communities, and attainment of equal rights.

Methodology/Approach to Work:

1. Partnerships & Advocacy: GHCF emphasizes stakeholder participation, evidence-based programming, and multi-media/multi-channel approaches to create awareness, reduce prejudices, and advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities.
2. Improving Access to Services: GHCF adopts cost-effective approaches to provide assistive devices, enabling PWDs to perform daily activities and removing physical and mental barriers.
3. Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR): GHCF employs a multi-sectoral approach to equalize opportunities, promote social inclusion, and combat the cycle of poverty and disability.
4. Self-Esteem for People with Disabilities: GHCF creates safe spaces, encourages independence, and taps into the talents of persons with disabilities through grassroots groups and activities.

Key Activities:

1. Establishing partnerships with organizations providing solutions for people with vision loss across East Africa.
2. Providing financial support for early detection and eye care to prevent blindness among low-income families.
3. Supporting the education of children with visual impairment through financial aid and equipment.
4. Conducting sensitization, training, and meetings to raise awareness and advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities.
5. Promoting access to and use of assistive technology by providing training and equipment for low-income visually impaired individuals.
6. Establishing a state-of-the-art library with assistive technologies for the disabled.
7. Providing low-cost assistive technologies for persons with disabilities and their families.
8. Ensuring fast identification and support for persons with disabilities during conflicts.
9. Supporting personalized mentoring, business training, vocational skills, and access to micro-loans.
10. Establishing partnerships to provide education incentives such as scholarships for disadvantaged individuals.