Chairmen’s Reports

JOHN FAWCETT FOUNDATION (AUSTRALIA)

2021 was another challenging year for the Foundation.

In 2019 we performed 4,497 cataract surgeries. In 2020 this number was 772. In 2021 it was 963.

Village programs and offshore eye programs could not be held for most of 2021 and at various times during the year COVID restrictions closed our Outreach Clinics and headquarters activities. While the village, offshore and headquarters activities were not back to full capacity by the end of the year, we are confident that we will see an increase in these programs in 2022. We used the downturn to focus on increasing the number of participating Outreach Clinics. At the end of 2021 we had five participating clinics, up from three at the beginning of the year. I would like to express our deep appreciation to our financial supporters who have continued to support the Foundation magnificently despite the difficult financial environment.

I can report that the Foundation is in a healthy financial position. We have experienced an increase in our revenue and a reduction in our operating expenses. We look forward to being able to fully utilise our strong balance sheet to increase our sight restoration work into the future.

During the year we were made aware of the critical need for frontline hospital workers in Indonesia to receive additional personal protective equipment. The Foundation is pleased to report that at short notice we were able to source and supply a substantial amount of PPE to assist at this critical time. It has been and remains the Board’s objective to ensure that the Foundation’s operation preparedness remains high. The Board believes that the Foundation will be able to substantially increase our operational capacity as soon as medical conditions allow.

At the end of 2021 David Craig advised that he had decided that it is no longer practicable for him to continue his registration as an auditor. I would like to thank David for the work and assistance that he voluntarily provided to the Foundation. I am pleased to be able to report that Ken Thomas of Paragon Consulting of 160 Stirling Hwy, Nedlands, has offered his services as the honorary auditor to the Foundation.

The Board has asked me to make mention of the outstanding work performed by Gede Bingin, Penny Lane and all our wonderful staff in Bali during these difficult times.

DAVID MILLER OAM

JOHN FAWCETT FOUNDATION (INDONESIA)

Iam delighted to present our 2021 Annual Report, and I am hoping everyone is staying safe and healthy. The COVID-19 pandemic is a global crisis which reminds us of the value of health care. It has challenged us to develop different solutions on how to deliver eye care in Indonesia, in particular restoring sight to our disadvantaged people. As we learn, we are constantly trying to find creative and improved ways of delivering our services. In early 2021 Indonesia recorded the highest rate of COVID-19 since 2020 and, with high-level restrictions on activities, we were required by the local and national governments to work at minimum capacity. Yet, with our strong commitment and dedication, we were able to continue the services throughout the year. Everyone was waiting and looking forward to our mobile eye clinic team returning to the villages to do eye screening and cataract operations again. After nineteen months of waiting, in the third quarter of the year and with a new system of delivery, we started with a small village eye screening in Bali. Finally, in the last two months of the year, we were able to do offshore eye programs in East Java. It required a strong drive and effort to persuade all stakeholders to develop the same commitments. I am very pleased and proud of all the staff and Board members for their work and contributions. In 2021 our team checked and treated 3,787 patients with eye problems, performed 963 cataract surgeries and fitted 59 prosthetic eyes. We performed 25% more cataract operations compared to the previous year. Despite the challenges we have faced, the Foundation lived up to the essence of its existence – to help the disadvantaged people of Indonesia. In 2021 we extended our reach of Outreach Clinics, and we plan to establish more Outreach Clinics working with our Foundation to enable people in more locations to access eye health care access more easily. I would like to thank the JFF staff, JFF Boards, stakeholders, our donors, and supporters for enabling us to continue providing free services to the disadvantaged people of Indonesia. We must all be mindful that the pandemic is not yet over. The ‘new normal’ is that we will have to keep adapting to its varying demands. Terima kasih banyak atas dukungan semuanya! The actions we do today will live on. We may forget that we have changed people’s lives, but they will remember for the rest of their lives!

I wish you all healthy and stay safe.

GEDE BINGIN