Compassionate Eye Foundation

history

In March 2005, Robert Kent first visited Guatemala to assess how Compassionate Eye could contribute to this region of need. An alliance was formed with Alianza, a non-profit organization in Nanaimo, British Columbia.
Compassionate Eye Foundation became an official society under the B.C. Society Act in March 2006.
A $10,000 donation allowed for the purchase of building materials and covered the costs for a classroom in Tuixoquel, Guatemala.
Volunteers from the community and a contractor began construction of the school classroom in May 2006.
The first Annual Summer Solstice Shoot was held on June 21st, 2006. Eleven photographers and their crews donated their time, talent, and resulting images to the CEF/Getty Images stock contract. This is an annual event that continues to involve more photographers and their crews from locations around the world.
Five members of CEF attended the official opening of the school in Tuixoquel in October 2006. At the same time, the first ever Grade 6 graduates received their diplomas.
The Scholarship Program was initiated in January 2007 for students who wanted to continue their middle school education (Grades 7, 8 and 9).
The first of annual donations to the Women's Groups in the Comitancillo area was made.
January 29th, 2007 the first CEF images were uploaded on the Getty Images website. Please check «here» to see the number of images that have been uploaded as of today.
February 2007 the first two images from the 2006 Solstice Shoot were sold for CEF. This marks the beginning of royalties from the imagery produced at the Summer Solstice Shoot generating funds for CEF projects.
October 2007 four volunteers attended the Grade 6 graduation of two more students. During this time, meetings were held at the school to determine which new projects would best serve the community and work with its assets. Two new school sites in nearby communities were assessed.
November 2007 a playground area with basketball hoops and soccer nets was built.
January 2008 the Parent Participation Preschool Project was started. The planning of a sustainability project in Agro Forestry was also begun.
January 2008 Compassionate Eye Foundation was awarded charitable status.
January 2008 CEF provided funds for a Young People Accepting Responsibility Project, educating over 500 rural teenagers.
January 2008 CEF provided funds for an Arts project at Fezeka School in Guguletu, Cape Town, South Africa.