Our Impact
T-Up traveled to Namibia on April 15, 2026, and returned home from Bali on May 18th, 2026. See below excerpts and photos from that trip.
Visual Assessment in Action!
Pictured below is Terrie using a tool called "QuickSee." Created and manufactured by PlenOptika, this hand-held tool allows for the assessment of an individual's vision in minutes. At our first stop in Namibia, we have partnered with Save the Rhino Trust in order to work with their rangers. Save the Rhino Trust’s mission is conservation of the land, communities and wildlife; with focus on protecting the desert-adapted black rhino, in a large area of Namibia (Save the Rhino Trust, 2024). We could easily fit two of our small New England states into this conserved area. This organization protects the rhino’s habitat and increases the livelihood of the communities through sustainable eco-tourism.
Participants in visual assessment first register with Terrie, read from an eye chart ten feet away, then work through a reading chart; if needed,have their vision assessed with the QuickSee, and finally are given a pair of glasses if warranted. Saw 99 rangers and gave out close to 60 pairs of glasses!
Scenes from Namibia
Damaraland
While in Damaraland, Namibia, T-Up Vision spent some time traveling between farms. We were able to interact with so many members of this welcoming community, many of whom participated in our visual testing process. We are constantly being reminded of the significance of our cause!
Scenes from Bali
T-Up partnered with the Suwandi Foundation in Bali. This foundation was born and has flourished from love of this beautiful corner of Bali. They are teaching English to the children to give this next generation a better future, in hopes to break the cycle of poverty (Suwandi Foundation, 2024). Global educators and service providers rotate in through special programs to focus on these children; to give them the tools and inspiration for a better life. Offering corrective eyewear to this next generation, and likely their family members too, is also a first for this region.
We started screening the children, staff, and family members at the Learning Center, which is supported by the Suwandi Foundation. The Learning Center teaches the children English, as well as basic computer skills. We were grateful to have the team from the Learning Center join us one our next journey to nearby neighborhoods, or Banjar, to meet people in their community space, their Bale Bajar. Many people came out for our vision screening and organization, registration, translation, help with testing went smoothly with all hands on deck! Their unwavering support of our mission is a testament to the depth of its impact!