General FAQs about The Foundation
How can The Foundation restore sight for HK$150?
While the cost of cataract surgery varies depending on the specific operating environments in the countries where we work, in some countries it is possible to restore sight for as little as HK$150.
Our HK$150 cost includes the three key things needed to restore sight – the surgeon’s time, the consumable equipment and the intraocular lens (IOL) which replaces the cataract.
The most important element in modern cataract surgery is the IOL – Fred Hollows used to refer to them as "the most expensive pieces of plastic in the world". Reducing the cost of the IOL was the fundamental factor in making cataract surgery affordable.
Today, IOL prices vary significantly – including in low and middle-income countries.
In October 2021 The Foundation evaluated our program costs for small incision cataract surgery in countries including Pakistan, Bangladesh and Cambodia to ensure the HK$150 cost remained accurate.
Our assessment showed IOLs start from AU$4 in Pakistan, about AU$6 in Cambodia, and about AU$14 in Bangladesh.
The other key costs are the surgeon’s time (which is less than AU$1.50 per patient in those three countries) and consumable equipment (as little as AU$5.46).
So with the cost of the IOL, the surgeon and the consumables it is possible that The Foundation can restore sight for as little as HK$150 in some countries.
We acknowledge that not all surgeries in all countries are as little as HK$150. The cost of surgery depends on factors including the country of treatment, the age and circumstances of the patient, how and where the treatment is delivered, the type of procedure, the IOL used, the hospital type (government or private), the facilities of the hospital, inpatient or day procedure delivery mechanisms, and the economic status of people in the country or region.
Can I visit one of The Foundation's overseas programs?
Unfortunately, our country offices are not equipped to accommodate visitors. The work we do in country offices is around program design, coordination, health monitoring and evaluation. No medical procedures are carried out in The Foundation’s offices or by our staff.
However, our partner in Nepal, the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology, accepts visitors to their hospital. If you’d like to visit Tilganga to see the work carried out in partnership between our organisations, please get in touch with Mr Bhagirath Baniya, Administrator and Public Relations Manager.
How many staff members does The Foundation employ?
As of March 2022, The Foundation employs 151 staff in Australia and 292 worldwide.
Why do you work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as well as overseas?
The work we do is inspired by the late Professor Fred Hollows. He believed everyone in the world had the right to quality and affordable eye health. When 9 out of 10 people in developing countries are blind when they don’t need to be and 94% of vision loss is preventable or treatable in adult Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, we think it’s an injustice not to do anything. Our specialities are in developmental work, so that’s where we concentrate our efforts.
Is The Fred Hollows Foundation a registered charity in Hong Kong?
The Fred Hollows Foundation (HK) Limited is registered as a Hong Kong SAR charity and our Tax-Exempt Charity No is 91/13694. The Foundation is also registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) and has Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status with the Australian Tax Office.
Donations
Where does my donation go?
Your donation could be used to restore someone’s sight, but it may also go towards a range of other program activities like training surgeons or eye health workers. These health professionals will then go on to help thousands of people in their community. All of the work we do aims to build capacity in developing countries to create sustainable public eye health systems.
How is my donation used?
Your donation will be used to support our sight-saving work, which includes eye operations and treatments, training surgeons and eye health workers, and other sustainable eye health.
For every $1 donated, 76% goes directly towards eye health programs, 6% is necessary for admin costs, and 18% goes towards fundraising efforts which allows us to help even more people.
Can I see who my donation will restore sight to?
Unfortunately, we can’t follow your donation to one single recipient, but we can assure you, your donation will go to helping people in need through our program and support work.
Can I donate via bank transfer?
1. To donate by bank direct transfer, please make a deposit to the following bank account:
Bank:HSBC
Account number: 848-423240-001
Receipt is available for donations of HKD100 or more. Please send your bank transfer receipt together with your name, phone, email and mailing address to Room 1005, 10/F, OfficePlus @Prince Edward, 794-802 Nathan Road, Hong Kong SAR or email us to hkinfo@hollows.org .
2. Please make a cheque payable to The Fred Hollows Foundation (HK) Limited and send it together with your name, phone, email and mailing address to Room 1005, 10/F, OfficePlus @Prince Edward, 794-802 Nathan Road, Hong Kong SAR.
3. You can support our work to end avoidable blindness through online donation at this link.
4. Faster Payment System (FPS): Please insert FPS registered ID 166472282 or email hkinfo@hollows.org. For donation receipt, please send the screen shot or leave your donation amount, name and contact details at the message remarks.
5. You can also donate via Alipay HK phone app.
Donations over HK$100 are tax deductible within Hong Kong.
How do I obtain a receipt for my donation?
Please email hkinfo@hollows.org with the subject line ‘donation receipt’ or call 852 36146240 to speak to our supporter services.
How can I cancel my regular donations?
Please email hkinfo@hollows.org or call 852 36146240 to speak to our supporter services if you would like to cancel your regular donation.
Will I be charged extra to use an American Express or Diners card for my donation?
No, you won’t.
How can I make a donation for a birthday, anniversary or funeral?
Thanks for wanting to donate to The Foundation to acknowledge a significant occasion. The best way to do this is to set up an online donation page where you can collect donations. Check it out here.
If you’d like to leave a gift to The Foundation in your will, please contact us at hkinfo@hollows.org.
Does The Foundation have bonbonnieres we can give to our wedding guests?
No, unfortunately at this time we don’t. As an alternative, we could give you ‘Gift of Sight’ cards to put on the tables or a bookmark for each guest. Please get in touch with us for more information via email hkinfo@hollows.org with the subject line ‘wedding donations’.
Alternatively, you could set up an online donation page for your guests. Find out more.
Can I donate to a specific country or program?
This can only be done for donations of more than HK$120,000. If this is something you’re looking to do, please contact our Supporter Services team on hkinfo@hollows.org or call 852 36146240.
Can I donate old glasses and frames?
Thanks for thinking of us, but unfortunately we can’t accept donations of glasses.
Your Privacy and Communications
How do I update my personal details?
Please get in touch with hkinfo@hollows.org with the subject line ‘updating my personal details’ or call 852 3614 6240 and our Supporter Services team will be able to help you with this.
I no longer want to be sent marketing materials.
No problem. Please contact hkinfo@hollows.org or call 852 3614 6240 to speak to our Support Services team to update your information. If you’d like to unsubscribe from our emails, please follow the link in the bottom of the email.
Does The Foundation share my details with other charities?
No. We never, under any circumstances, share, sell or pass on our donors’ details.
Is my online donation secure?
Yes, The Fred Hollows Foundation is fully committed to maintaining the security of the financial and personal information you entrust to us when making a donation.
Our IT systems are fully compliant with the security requirements of the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) which was founded by the major credit card brands (such as VISA, Mastercard and American Express).
In addition, when you donate online to The Foundation your card information is processed, encrypted and stored by a specialised and highly secure payment service organisation.
Other FAQs
I’m a school student. How can I find more information about The Foundation?
There’s quite a lot of detail on our website, but if there’s something you can’t find, please contact us at hkinfo@hollows.org with some information on what you need, and why.
If you would like to arrange for a school talk, please contact us at hkinfo@hollows.org or call us at +852 3614 6240. More information can be found at our Book a Talk page.
I’m a health professional. How can I work or volunteer for The Foundation?
Thanks for your interest in being a part of The Foundation. We prioritise the recruitment of local staff in the countries where we work to build local capacity and to promote the long-term sustainability of our eye health programs.
Unfortunately, we don’t have the capacity to offer work placements or train and host professional volunteers within our programs at this time.
I have cataract/eye problems. Can The Foundation help?
Unfortunately, we can’t provide individual medical advice. We’re an international development organisation, so we work with local partners in developing countries to strengthen the local eye health systems. This means that we don’t employ our own medical staff and we don’t have our own medical facilities in Australia or overseas.
Please get in touch with your GP and they’ll be able to help you.
