About US
Historical Background
Each year numerous mission and humanitarian groups travel from the United States to underdeveloped countries throughout the world. Those groups which have optical teams are frequently not well prepared, utilize untrained personnel and have little participation and guidance from professionals. Often large optical teams run by professionals are unaware of new automated methods to properly utilize the huge available supply of used prescription glasses.
Kendall Optometry Ministry first discovered the shortcomings in optical ministry during a mission trip to Honduras in August, 1999 and left with a God given passion to do it better.
Project Mission Statement
Kendall Optometry Ministry provides equipment, supplies, computer software, training classes, and training literature. This allows the creation of an organizational structure for effective optical ministry. The structure allows the creation of proficient teams consisting of professional optical personnel and non-professional volunteers or non-professional volunteers alone. Specially designed computer software allows the data collection, cataloging, inventory control and automated selection of used prescription glasses. These computer programs efficiently interface to numerous modern lensmeters (to measure the glasses) and autorefractors (to measure the eyes) providing the match of glasses to patient.
Kendall Optometry Ministry also provides completely assembled and organized optical mission kits to be used by professional and non-professional volunteers.
Techniques and software developed by the Kendall Optometry Ministry allow teams to effectively assist 3-5 times as many people as before. Many teams have reported that nobody was ever turned away without significant improvements in their vision. In most cases very long lines are shortened or even eliminated. On the average it has been reported that one patient has been fitted with a pair of used prescription eyeglasses every 3-5 minutes.
Other Cooperative Organizations
Kendall Optometry Ministry works closely with these organizations:
(51 teams travel to Honduras and Nicaragua)
Indiana Lions Club Distribution warehouse of Upland, Indiana.
Texas Lions Club of Midland Texas.
Woodridge Baptist Church - (Trips to Kenya)
Northside Baptist Church, Murfreesboro, Tn. - (Trip to Romania)
First Baptist Church, Hattiesburg, Ms - (Trip to Kenya)
Dr. Doug Horner of Indiana University School of Optometry.
Dr Ian Berger of Infocus (non-profit organization promoting “eye care for all”) www.infocusonline.org
Methodist missionary team in Sulphur, La.
VOSH International - Robert Merriam.
and many many more.
Leadership/Board
Founder and Executive Director.
Holland Kendall, BSEE, MCP, President
Dr Sammy Rose, OD (Vice President of Optometry Consultation) (R.I.P.)
Bobby Willoughby (Vice President of Technical Support)
Darrell Brooks (Vice President of Customer Support)
Charlie Johnson (Vice President of Glasses Measurement)
Others soon to join.
Advisory Board
Dr Sammy Rose, OD, Board member and consultant (R.I.P)
Sammy passed away on March 24th, 2022 due to a heart attack. We are looking for another optometrist to be a member of our board.
Company Status
Kendall Optometry Ministry was incorporated in September, 2003 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization in the state of Delaware. Primary business is being done in the state of Kentucky.