The Fred Hollows Foundation - Celebrate 10 Years with Us
In 2015, The Fred Hollows Foundation launched its first overseas office in Hong Kong to continue promoting eye health and blindness prevention work. In 2025, thanks to the efforts of all parties involved, we sincerely thank the donors and supporters from Hong Kong, which has allowed us to reach further and help more individuals on the path of restoring sight.
In our first decade, the Fred Hollows Foundation continues to deliver on its mission to bring light to those who have lost their sight because they face barriers accessing the eye care the need.
"Teaching someone to fish"
Today, The Fred Hollows Foundation is helping restore people’s sight in more than 25 countries worldwide. Inspired by our late founder Professor Fred Hollows, we're working towards a world where no person is needlessly blind. Everyone, no matter whether they're rich or poor, has the right to high quality and affordable eye care.
The Foundation continues to focus on training local eye doctors and medical staff, following the principle of "teaching someone to fish." We train local workers so they can train others and build a stronger eye health workforce.
In 2023, The Fred Hollows Foundation collaborated for the first time with a non-profit organization in Hong Kong, ImpactHK, to provide free eye health seminars, eye disease screenings, and eyeglass services for vulnerable communities such as the homeless and low-income individuals. Moving into 2025, The Fred Hollows Foundation will continue to collaborate with various organizations, offering services to those in need and referring them to public hospitals for further examination and treatment.
Speech from Laura Lee, Chief Representative - Hong Kong & ASEAN
A Decade Upholding Dignity: Where Sight Meets Opportunity
Laura Lee, Chief Representative - Hong Kong & ASEAN
My journey with The Fred Hollows Foundation has been deeply meaningful, but one moment remains particularly vivid: during my inaugural field visit to our Cambodia program, I witnessed a ‘patch off’ moment for a toddler born with bilateral cataracts. As the bandages were removed after his surgery, his expression transformed with awe upon seeing his mother’s face for the first time – an experience that profoundly reinforced my commitment to our mission. This encounter underscores a fundamental truth: eye health is universal.
Every person will face vision challenges if they live long enough, yet many still perceive it as a niche concern. Beyond its intrinsic value, sight restoration is a proven catalyst for breaking cycles of poverty while advancing broader societal goals – from gender equity to enabling dignified aging. At its core, vision is inseparable from human dignity and opportunity. As we mark our tenth anniversary in Hong Kong, we reaffirm our conviction that restoring sight transforms lives. Building on this decade of impact, we are poised to expand our reach and deepen our legacy across the region.
Tenth Anniversary: Every Supporter's Word Drives Our Sight-Saving Mission Forward!
The Fred Hollows Foundation is celebrating its 10th anniversary! Thank you for your unwavering support of our sight-saving work, empowering us to go further and restore sight to more people.
For this milestone, we’ll be interviewing individuals who have uniquely supported our journey, sharing their experiences and contributions! Including:
- Thomas Ching | Hong Kong Advisory Committee, The International Board and Hong Kong Board, The Fred Hollows Foundation
- Dr. Godfrey Lam | Ophthalmic Consultant, The Fred Hollows Foundation
- Pinky Fung: Fundraising Manager, The Fred Hollows Foundation (Hong Kong)
- The Fred Hollows Long time donor (Production in process)
- Cliff Cheng, General Manager, 288 Exhibition Planning LTD
- Deep Ng, Head of Programmes, ImpactHK
- Hou Lai Shan Principal, Aberdeen St. Peter’s Catholic Primary School Principal
More names will be added—stay tuned for updates!
Feature ① Thomas Ching
Driving Blindness Prevention with Commercial Pragmatism
Thomas Ching: Hong Kong Advisory Committee, The International Board and Hong Kong Board, The Fred Hollows Foundation
Thomas Ching, a veteran entrepreneur in the insurance industry and Honorary Fellow of Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, has supported The Fred Hollows Foundation since 2018 through donations. He later joined its Hong Kong Advisory Committee and now serves on both the International Board and Hong Kong Board, leveraging his professional expertise to advance high-impact blindness prevention initiatives.
His deep commitment stems from recognizing The Fred Hollows Foundation’s on-the-ground implementation capability. This pragmatic approach is exemplified in surgical cost efficiency: By manufacturing intraocular lenses (IOLs), The Foundation reduces cataract surgery costs to just HKD 150 per procedure, ensuring donations directly fund sight-restoring surgeries. Simultaneously, its emphasis on training local medical personnel—observed by Thomas during field visits to Yunnan projects—builds self-sustaining medical teams that "remain long after foreign experts depart." As a dual-board member, Thomas integrates corporate governance rigor into philanthropic oversight. He actively promotes The Fred Hollows Foundation to business partners, expanding its donor network in Hong Kong—where the organization has operated for a decade. At public events, he personally shares impact stories, demonstrating how donations translate into life-changing interventions.
Amplify and Extend Our restoring Sight Efforts Further and Wider
Feature ② Dr. Godfrey Lam
Ten Years of Kindling Vision: Restoring Sight Without Rest – Dr. Godfrey Lam
Dr. Godfrey Lam, an ophthalmologist and ophthalmic consultant for The Fred Hollows Foundation, has been with the organization since its Hong Kong establishment a decade ago. His journey mirrors the foundation’s growth in Hong Kong, making his contributions profoundly significant.
As a protégé of the late Professor Fred Hollows – founder of The Fred Hollows Foundation and a pioneering ophthalmologist – Dr. Lam was deeply inspired by his mentor's compassion. This experience fundamentally shaped his approach to ophthalmology. Beyond treating patients in his practice, Dr. Lam actively participates in the foundation’s initiatives, including Hong Kong’s first eye examination and glasses fitting initiative for the homeless. He has also joined field visits to remote communities in Yunnan, witnessing firsthand how vision restoration and eye screenings save more lives and extend care to the most vulnerable.
"Helping one person means helping an entire family"
Dr. Lam firmly believes that "helping one person means helping an entire family." He understands how restoring vision to someone blinded by preventable conditions lifts both the individual and their family from economic hardship. His work transforms lives burdened by despair into stories of hope and renewed dignity.
From Professor Hollows' Protégé to Light-Bringer | A Decade of Sight-Saving, Walk the Path with You | The Fred Hollows Foundation's 10th Anniversary
Feature ③ Pinky Fung
A decade-long commitment to ending avoidable blindness, ignited by witnessing the precious gift of sight
Pinky Fung: Fundraising Manager, The Fred Hollows Foundation (Hong Kong)
Pinky Fung has grown alongside the Hong Kong office of The Fred Hollows Foundation, witnessing every step of the organization’s journey—because she was its very first employee.
What has kept her unwavering on this path to cure blindness over ten years?
Leaving the publishing industry to join a charitable organization, Pinky’s choice stemmed from a simple aspiration: to show more people the devastating impact of blindness and the heartwarming stories of restored sight. She knows that every glimmer of regained vision is a miracle made possible by salvation.
In 2018, a trip to Yunnan deepened Pinky’s conviction. During a story collection project visit, she met a young boy named Loong. Born with congenital cataracts, Loong lived in a remote village with his elderly grandparents—his parents absent—facing a world of hardship and helplessness. Thanks to a local doctor trained by The Fred Hollows Foundation, Loong received successful cataract surgery. Pinky witnessed the life-changing moment firsthand: as the bandages were removed, his blurred world sharpened into focus. The joy and hope of restored sight etched themselves permanently in her heart.
That moment transcended words. Pinky felt with absolute clarity: though the world is filled with suffering and injustice, collective effort can bridge even the widest gaps in ending avoidable blindness. The rekindled light in Loong’s eyes ignited a fiercer resolve within her—to walk further on this path and help more people break free from darkness.
Ten years of perseverance, fueled by every witnessed miracle of sight. Pinky transforms this profound gratitude into enduring momentum. With heartfelt appreciation, she honors everyone who contributes to this mission of light—it is the gathering of countless sparks that makes our world warmer and brighter.
A Decade-Long Journey Together: Pinky Fung
Feature ⑤ Cliff Cheng
Inspired to support
Cliff Cheng, General Manager, 288 Exhibition Planning LTD
In 2018, shortly after The Fred Hollows Foundation Hong Kong was established, Cliff Cheng (Managing Director of 288 Exhibition Design Limited, founded in 2014) partnered with us for our inaugural photo exhibition in Shatin. Leading his team personally, Cliff has since evolved from creating visual installations to designing large-scale events, becoming our most steadfast creative partner.
Reflecting on seven years of collaboration during our 10th-anniversary interview, Cliff revealed his deepest admiration lies not only in co-creating the "Cataract Experience Installation," but in witnessing our team's unwavering passion. Despite operating with limited resources as a lesser-known organization in Hong Kong, every member's wholehearted dedication to sight-saving work has profoundly moved him.
"When design evokes genuine resonance," Cliff emphasizes, "it becomes a catalyst for rallying societal attention to our cause. That resonance is ignited by the authentic passion radiating from The Foundation's team." Looking ahead, Cliff will continue walking alongside us as a Sight-Saving Guide – leveraging his corporate network to advocate for vision health education and galvanizing broader societal forces to eliminate avoidable blindness.
"When design evokes genuine resonance,"
Feature ⑥ Deep Ng
Walk Together with 'Eye Care' to Help More People See Clearly and See Far.
Deep Ng, Head of Programmes, ImpactHK
At ImpactHK, we weave a tapestry of care for those who find themselves without a home, embracing a holistic framework. Our mission delves beyond the surface, aiming to unravel and mend the intricate threads that bind life's challenges to those in need.
In our journey, we stumbled upon a truth that the eyes often lay hidden behind the curtain of more pressing issues. The Fred Hollows Foundation emerged as an ally, tracing the invisible lines of sight that are frequently neglected. Through their generosity, we unfolded a tapestry of revelation — over half of those we serve are burdened by refractive errors, and a fraction encounter other ocular adversities.
I envisage a world where vision isn't a privilege, but a shared clarity accessible to all. A future where the light of sight shines uniformly, removing obstacles that cloud the true perception of life. The world is a canvas, richly adorned with images awaiting appreciation. If your eyes are healthy, cherish and behold it, lend your hand to the Fred Hollows Foundation, a beacon illuminating the path back to visual clarity.
First local program – The Fred Hollows Foundation + ImpactHK: The issue of extreme poverty in Hong Kong is escalating and people on low incomes and the homeless face barriers in accessing crucial medical and eye care services. The Fred Hollows Foundation Hong Kong and ImpactHK organized an eye screening event to address the eye health problems faced by the homeless and socially-disadvantaged in Hong Kong. At the event, people accessed free eye health information sessions, eye screening and were given prescription glasses.
First HK Eye screening Event: The Fred Hollows Foundation X ImpactHK
Feature ⑦ Principal Hou Lai Shan
Hou Lai Shan Principal, Aberdeen St. Peter’s Catholic Primary School Principal
Hou Lai-shan of Aberdeen St. Peter’s Catholic Primary School has led her school in The Fred Hollows Foundation’s "Humanity Award" for two consecutive years. For Principal Hou, this program transcends mere recognition—it embodies a transformative journey for students to practice the spirit of Caritas through lived experience.
"Teaching students to care for those around them is paramount," Principal Hou emphasizes. She hopes participants learn to identify community needs and explore actionable ways to contribute within their capacity. "Even seemingly modest efforts," she affirms, "when united, become a powerful collective strength that transforms lives."
Principal Hou has witnessed remarkable growth in her students throughout their involvement. While many initially felt hesitant when engaging with diverse community groups, their consistent service experiences cultivated genuine eagerness to give.
The school’s 2025 award-winning project "Bright Vision Zongzi." particularly demonstrated their empathetic innovation. Students thoughtfully incorporated goji—rich in eye-healthy vitamin A—into traditional rice dumplings, simultaneously celebrating multicultural elderly communities and promoting vision care with every bite. This fusion of service-learning, Caritas values, and The Foundation’s sight-saving mission is precisely how The Humanity Award ignites a lasting spark of compassion in young hearts.
Teaching students to care for those around them is paramount
Your Generosity Lights Up Lives
Over the past decade, The Fred Hollows Foundation Hong Kong has helped patients like H’Nhi regain their sight and rebuild their confidence. Every donation you make changes the future of an individual, a family, and even a whole community.
You have transformed H’Nhi’s live
Born with cataracts, H’Nhi from Vietnam lived in darkness. Her family was too poor to afford surgery. With the help of Dr Phuong, trained by The Fred Hollows Foundation, H’Nhi’s life was transformed.
"I was very young at the time, so I don’t remember everything. But now that I’ve grown up, I truly appreciate how precious healthy vision is."
— Patient H’Nhi
"Children are usually afraid of doctors and hospitals, but H’Nhi was different. She was very brave."
— Dr Phuong (Photo left)
After surgery, H’Nhi could see clearly again—she returned to school, played with friends, and helped her family.
Today, she helps her mother raise cattle and grow crops, becoming a pillar of her family.
Your support will change countless lives.
The Power of Regular Giving
Thanks to generous supporters over the years, many more patients like H’Nhi have been given a second chance at life. Your regular donation empowers us to plan ahead: train more doctors, purchase essential equipment, and serve remote communities—eliminating avoidable blindness at its roots.
"Regaining my sight means I can help my mother and support my sister. Without that surgery, I wouldn’t be able to do these things. I am truly grateful to The Fred Hollows Foundation."
— Patient H’Nhi
Act Now — Change a Life
Every bit of support you give is key to helping someone regain their sight and live life to the fullest again. The Fred Hollows Foundation has been working in 25 countries around the world, restoring sight for thousands of people like H’Nhi—giving them the chance to see the world and embrace new possibilities.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of The Fred Hollows Foundation Hong Kong office. We are deeply grateful to each and every supporter. Because you have walked with us, we have witnessed countless lives transformed. This important milestone only strengthens our belief to keep moving forward, so that even more people in need can receive treatment and hope, especially those in remote and disadvantaged communities.
At this special moment, we invite you to donate and support The Fred Hollows Foundation. Your kindness will light the way for many more, allowing each life story to begin a new chapter.
WHAT IMPACT CAN YOUR DONATION BRING?
Blindness and vision impairment is a health issue, and related to a person's well-being, quality of life and development opportunities. The Fred Hollows Foundation believes that a fly-in-fly-out model is not the best way to develop a place’s eye health care. Our vision is to build sustainable, good quality and affordable eye care in remote areas of the world.
Your donation will be used to:
- Train surgeons or eye health workers
- Provide medical equipment
- Organise eye screening camps in remote areas
- Raise awareness of eye health to the public
- Invest in innovation and research
Together, we can do this
We know how to help, but there’s a lot of work still to be done across the world. Eliminating avoidable blindness can be achieved – with the help of our partners and, most importantly, you, our incredible supporters.
The Fred Hollows Foundation's work will help build the local capacity of eye health in remote areas. Doctors, nurses and community eye care staff can identify, diagnose, refer and treat various eye diseases on time in the community.
The Fred Hollows Foundation believes that a fly-in-fly-out model is not the best way to develop a place’s eye health care. Our aim is to build a sustainable eye health workforce in remote areas to help people have their sight restored.
Thank you very much for your donation! Monthly donation receipts will be mailed to your mailing address every April. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
