Being able to read can obviously change someone's life. For years people have donated eyeglasses to impoverished countries in attempt to meet the vast needs of those with flawed vision. While this is helpful in practice, it remains limited in its reach and fails to allow a continuing avenue through which the needs of the poor can be met. Over the past few years Americans have began to fulfill the needs of these people while at the same time making a substantial profit. Business experts like C.K. Prahalad, author of The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid, asserts that companies can make money by selling to the world's poor. This is where Scojo recognized an opportunity for innovation which has since won them many awards.

Trained as an eye doctor, Jordan Kassalow had worked in more than 40 countries, helping treat river blindness and other ailments. "For [each person] who needed sophisticated eye care, there were 30 people who needed basic reading glasses," says Kassalow, 43. "There was a huge market failure, and a huge market opportunity to sell cheap reading glasses." Kassalow ultimately recognized a niche in the market where smaller companies take cost margins (selling to the poor) that larger companies are unwilling to take. Kassalow's innovation meets the needs of providing eyeglasses to millions who need them while simultaneously creating sustainable, local business solutions. The Scojo Foundation identifies local entrepreneurs and helps them get small loans to begin an eyeglass selling business.

Going beyond a simple physical donation of eyeglasses, Scojo finds women with leadership potential and trains them in all things business. The women then sell the glasses that are provided by Scojo. With a network in place, Scojo provides support for the local start-ups by providing hundreds-of-thousands of glasses that otherwise would not have been used. Why women? Research affirms that women who have access to their own capital use their money to feed, educate, house, and provide medical care for their children. Scojo therefore is not only encouraging temporary relief to vision problems, but seeks to empower these countries through sustainable, dispensable capital.