The I-CARE Campaign: Restoring Sight and Empowering Communities

In communities across Edo State, cataracts rob thousands of their vision, independence, and livelihoods, often without access to diagnosis or treatment. The I-CARE Campaign 2.0, led by Clinton Okechukwu, is changing that. This grassroots initiative tackled the crisis head-on by providing free eye screenings, surgeries, and education to underserved populations long excluded from basic eye care. Through collaboration with local health workers and culturally adapted outreach, the campaign screened over 400 individuals, restored sight through 48 cataract surgeries, and distributed more than 300 pairs of glasses.

“We wanted to create an initiative that didn’t just offer treatment, but built trust, informed communities, and inspired action,” said Clinton.

With support from The Pollination Project, the I-CARE Campaign was able to scale its reach and deepen its impact. The grant provided vital funding to train 25 youth volunteers as eye health ambassadors, empowering them to conduct education campaigns in local dialects. This helped overcome language barriers and dispel deep-rooted myths – such as the belief that cataracts are spiritual or untreatable – that often prevent people from seeking care. The funding also enabled the team to coordinate transportation for patients in remote areas, cover essential costs for 48 successful cataract surgeries, and produce culturally resonant materials for both in-person and radio-based outreach.

“Thanks to The Pollination Project, what began as a vision became a life-changing reality for our communities,” Clinton reflected. “The grant allowed us to offer not only treatment, but dignity, independence, and renewed vision to people who had lived in darkness for years.”

Building on the momentum of this success, the I-CARE Campaign is now preparing for its next phase. Plans are underway to screen 500 more individuals, facilitate at least 100 additional surgeries, and train 50 new volunteers across multiple states. A mobile-based screening tool will be introduced to support early detection in hard-to-reach areas, while a permanent referral and support hub is being established in Makoko to provide ongoing services and distribute glasses. The team is also developing localized radio programs to extend its educational reach. As Clinton explained,

“Our mission is evolving. We’re not just responding to immediate needs, we’re laying the groundwork for lasting, community-based solutions to preventable blindness.”

Clinton Okechukwu

Clinton Okechukwu is a 25-year-old Optometry student at the University of Benin, Nigeria, and a passionate advocate for eye health equity in underserved communities. As the Social Media Director for The RETINA Initiative and the driving force behind the H.E.A.L the World campaign, Clinton has led impactful outreach projects that have benefited over 4,500 people across 15 communities in Lagos, Ogun, and Edo States. His work includes providing free cataract interventions, raising ocular health awareness, and coordinating mobile eye clinics.

A recognized changemaker, Clinton is a Millennium Fellow, CGI U Fellow, and Aspire HarvardX student in leadership and mentorship. He has secured grants from Peace First, The Pollination Project, and Global Youth Mobilization to fund sustainable eye care solutions and health education efforts.

In addition to his public health work, Clinton is a junior web developer with skills in HTML, CSS, Sass, JavaScript, React, Tailwind, and Bootstrap. He is currently interning with KodeCamp, where he continues to build real-world projects that reflect his commitment to innovation and community service.

Join The Pollination Project in seeding a global movement of grassroots change. When we invest in passionate local leaders, small acts of generosity blossom into lasting impact. Every dollar you give takes root in communities, growing into sustainable solutions that touch countless lives.