The Fight Against Preventable Blindness in Developing Countries Intensifies With Additional Board Members for Relief for Human Suffering Foundation
The World Health Organization found that more than 2 billion people suffer from a visual impairment – half of which could be preventable or treatable. Many in developing countries don’t have available resources to help them identify or correct visual impairments.
Relief for Human Suffering Foundation is working to provide access to eye care for those in developing nations. The addition of two new board members provides a greater opportunity for the organization to achieve its mission more effectively.
Matt Maltese is one of the newest board members joining the Relief for Human Suffering Foundation. Maltese’s background in biomedical research guides his work as co-founder and chief engineer at X-Biomedical: a startup developing technology for the democratization of surgical microscopy, including eye surgery.
A seasoned research and development professional with more than 25 years under his belt, Maltese’s research publications focus on using multi-camera systems and sensors to quantify anatomical motion in 3D. Health technology company Philips commercialized his work on a novel medical device to provide visualization of CPR.
Abi Longe is the second board member joining Relief for Human Suffering Foundation. Longe, who grew up in Africa, understands the healthcare inequities and disparities within the country. She is extremely passionate about assisting those in Africa and other parts of the world who are more vulnerable to improper social welfare.
Longe has more than 30 years of consulting experience while being an inspirational coach, trainer, speaker, and mentor. She is very active in promoting the development of women and the potential of young people through her Worthy Woman Club and Productivity Plus initiatives.
“Eyesight is something every human deserves regardless of their race, ethnicity or the location of their birth. So, it’s great to have more people on board who share a personal connection to the mission in some way,” said Relief for Human Suffering Foundation Founder & President Benson Fayehun. “Matt and Abi’s commitment to the cause, the organization, and the global community exemplifies why we’re so excited to have them as board members,” Fayehun continued.
Maltese and Longe’s experience will bring additional resources and knowledge to the growing organization. With the goal of helping 6,000 impoverished people in Africa receive eye care and treatment in 2022, Relief for Human Suffering Foundation’s internal expansion will bring more awareness to the organization as it continues its mission of addressing preventable blindness for impoverished people in Africa and globally.
Maltese and Longe were appointed to the board of directors of Relief for Human Suffering Foundation on Friday, March 11, 2022. They will serve on the board for two years and be eligible for re-appointment in 2024.
For more information about Maltese, Longe, or Relief for Human Suffering Foundation, please visit https://r4hsfoundation.org.
About Relief for Human Suffering Foundation
Relief for Human Suffering Foundation is a non-profit (501c3) organization with a mission to restore eyesight and relieve human suffering in developing countries in Africa & other parts of the world. Relief for Human Suffering Foundation is obsessed with creating a world where a person’s ability to see is not dependent on where they live or the location of their birth. The organization partners with trusted organizations with similar missions in addition to logistics and medical expertise to deliver care to people in need. Where feasible, the organization connects beneficiaries with resources to help put them on a path of self-reliance. As a volunteer-run organization, 100% of public funding goes into the organization’s cause directly. Through the public’s assistance, Relief for Human Suffering Foundation can provide prescription eyewear to one person for as little as $20, and enable cataract surgery for as little as $80.
To join the cause through donation or for more information about how to volunteer your time and talents, visit our website at https://r4hsfoundation.org/get-involved/.
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