Vision for a Nation won the international aid and development category at the Charity Awards 2016, for its project delivering primary eyecare to the whole of Rwanda. Sebastian Ford reflects on the process and the impact.

Frederic lost his wife and three children in the devastating 1994 genocide in Rwanda. By 2014, he had rebuilt his life and started a new family. However, Frederic was struggling with his sight and he found himself on the verge of losing his job as a security guard. All he needed was a simple pair of reading glasses to allow him to see clearly.

There are about 2.5 billion people like Frederic globally who lack access to the eyecare they so badly need. This is not only a major public health issue but a barrier to development. Vision for a Nation was founded in 2012 to rapidly deliver local access to affordable eyecare. Our first programme is under way in Rwanda where Frederic is one of over 900,000 people we have already helped.

Like many of the UK’s 180,000 charities, we have achieved extraordinary things in a short space of time. But we have never received much recognition beyond the eyecare sector. So you can imagine our delight to be shortlisted for a Charity Award – the longest-running awards programme in the sector.

The nomination followed a rigorous application and review process. The first step was a written submission covering most aspects of our work. This was similar to applying for funding from a major donor in its comprehensiveness. The drafting process was very much a team effort involving our four UK staff, as well as our colleagues in Rwanda.

After being shortlisted, we were then interviewed by an impressive panel of about ten sector leaders. I can assure you that it was not as intimidating as it might sound! We approached the awards ceremony with a mixture of anticipation and nerves. The latter prevailed on the night as it became clear how stiff the competition was.

Ultimately winning the 2016 international aid & development award was a great honour and the culmination of much hard work by many people. In just four years, Vision for a Nation has helped Rwanda to become the first emerging nation in the world to provide all of its people with local access to affordable eyecare.

Our success at the Charity Awards was a great endorsement of our work and a big boost for our staff, both in the UK and in Rwanda, who have put so much into the project. It has enhanced our profile and credibility among partners and funders in the UK and beyond. In the long run, this can only benefit people like Frederic whose lives we are helping to transform.

Sebastian Ford is director of strategy and communications at Vision for a Nation

Civil Society Media's Charity Awards are the longest-running and most respected awards in the charity sector. They are open to any charity which can demonstrate best practice in their field. The awards are currently open to entry. For more information, or to make an application, click here.