Visión Cultural / Cultural Vision
Visión Cultural / Cultural Vision began as a Colombian-based eye care family foundation to repair and restore vision and build public and private partnerships that advocate for the expansion of a cultural vision, aiming to improve the overall standard of living in Colombia.
Elsa Caridi worked as an ocular instrumentalist and organized and funded low cost cataract operations at a private clinic for people with little or no income. Patients would pay according to their means; in many cases the pay was symbolic.
Leon Caridi was actively involved in the cultural development of the city of Barranquilla, and was a person well known for his civic activism. Supporting the Carnival of Barranquilla, the biggest cultural expression of the city, was a lifetime commitment of his. He also sponsored various groups of Carnival to keep the traditions alive and founded the application process and materials for UNESCO.
Elsa and Leon's son, Roberto Caridi, has been on the board of directors of various cultural institutions. when Elsa passed away in 2000, Vision Cultural was born. It combined his parents interests and continued their commitment to the community.
The cataract program began in 2002 during which time sixty one cataract operations were performed. To date, the foundation has fully funded 468 operations for people in need. This year Visión Cultural / Cultural Vision will perform 150 cataract surgeries, at the Clinica Yepes Porto, a specialized ophthalmology clinic in Barranquilla, Colombia, where more than ten specialists donate their services and use the latest technological and laser equipment for diagnostic treatment and surgical procedures. For the past two years the cataract operation program was extended to include people who participate in Barranquilla's Carnival.
Roberto Caridi and Jessica Sofia Mitrani moved from Colombia to New York in 1999, and after living in the states for nine years have decided to expand the reach of the family foundation to include 401 Projects as a partner in order to continue the mission of Visión Cultural / Cultural Vision and expand it, globally.
Please visit www.401projects.com for more information.
