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About Ann Foundation, Inc.

The Ann Foundation is a non profit, nonsectarian organization committed to improve the quality of life for children with visual and hearing impairments through out the world.

Our mission is to promote independence and foster the highest quality of life for people who are blind or visually impaired, including those with additional disabilities.

Children with disabilities in developing countries appear as a hindrance to social development. Support is founded in the belief that education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and taking control of one's own life. Creating hope and opportunities for children has been our focus. A basic education helps them live a full and rewarding life.

Through Mission trips and special projects, we reach out to children with disabilities who might not otherwise receive medical or educational services. The Ann Foundation has worked in India and Africa and continues to expand its missions in new areas and communities.

To provide educational, health and humanitarian services to people with disabilities in less developed countries. To enable those with disabilities to acquire skills through the use of adaptive technologies. To make use of the advancement in technology and computers to educate people with disabilities to empower those to be well informed productive and self sufficient members of society. To promote and spearhead a continuing concern for the welfare and future of people with disabilities through advocacy, care missions, resource generation and establishment of beneficial programs and projects. To become one of the leading accredited UNV organizations dedicated to working for the welfare and empowerment of people with disabilities.

The Ann Foundation's board of directors and volunteers include physicians, audiologists, engineers and educators who share a belief that by improving educational, health and vocational services children with disabilities will have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

International Voluntary Service Activities

Since 1999, Ann Foundation has been conducting mission trips to India. Twice a year, in October and February, the foundation solicits educational, medical and engineering volunteers, asking them to share their knowledge and skills to help level the playing field for children with disabilities.

In February 2008, six volunteers traveled to India. During their week long visit, two Braille instructors, two technology consultants, a blind graduate student and the foundations founder, Ann Moideen, spent time at several schools in Bangalore and School for the Blind in Belgaum. The volunteers worked with teachers to help them to strengthen their knowledge of Braille and technology. They also worked with students, encouraging them to pursue their dreams. In addition to its mission trips, the foundation has undertaken several special projects, expanding and improving health and education programs for children with disabilities.

Children at the Sheila Kothavala Institute for the Deaf in Bangalore, India, were the beneficiaries of a new computer learning center. Expanding the school's technology, the foundation donated computers, hearing aids and organized in-country volunteers to train teachers and students or using the new products.

The foundation also supports Mercy Home Kids, a residential school for children with physical and mental disabilities in Dharmapuri, India, and Jyothi Seva School for the Visually Impaired in Bangalore, India with donations of computers, computer software, school supplies and school uniforms.

Working in collaboration with Loyola College, the foundation is able to conduct special computer workshops for the visually impaired. With donations of JAWS (Job Access with Speech) software, visually-impaired users can now hear what is displayed on their computer screens.

Through its Wheelchair Donation program, the Ann Foundation has donated more than 500 wheelchairs to the New Horizon Trust in Bangalore, India. The gift of mobility greatly improves the quality of life of each child.

Finally, seeking to expand its horizons, the foundation has plans to setup workshops in wheelchair and solar lantern fabricating in Hyderabad and Bangalore, India. Studies are also being conducted for the possibility of producing a low-cost, rugged plastic wheelchair.