HKI Europe

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HKI Europe: A Brief History

  • Helen Keller International was founded in Paris in 1915 as "The British, French, Belgian Permanent Blind Relief War Fund" to help veterans blinded during World War I.
  • In 1998, HKI Europe reopened an office in Paris with the dual purpose of raising funds and visibility for Helen Keller International in Europe. HKI and HKIE are affiliated, non-profit non-governmental organizations registered in the U.S. and France respectively and are united in a common mission to prevent blindness and reduce malnutrition. HKIE works in close collaboration with HKI and its 22 national offices in Africa, Asia-Pacific and the United States. According to the source of the funds secured, the implementation and management of field projects are co-executed by both entities.
  • Since 2001, in partnership with Total, PTTEP, UNOCAL and MOGE, HKI Europe supports a program to prevent blindness in Myanmar. Current efforts are focused on enhancing cataract surgery capacity.
  • Since 2003, HKI Europe has partnered with Essilor International, which provides financial support to the Vitamin A Supplementation program in Mali and donates lenses to our ChildSight® programs.
  • In 2004 and 2005, HKIE provided key support for relief efforts in Indonesia after the devastating tsunami. Programs included distributing Sprinkles to improve nutritional health and primary eyecare.
  • From 2005 to 2008, in partnership with Total, HKI Europe supported a 3-year program in the Kalimantan region of Indonesia that focused on health, vision and nutrition as a means of building a sustainable community health/nutrition infrastructure.
  • As the key contact to funding form the European Commission, HKI Europe has obtained 10 grants from the Commission since 2007.
  • HKI Europe also hosts an annual Special Event. Last May, the Gala was held at the famous Olympia Bruno Coquatrix Hall with 1,800 guests in attendance.

Contact Information

Helen Keller International Europe
Legal Address
45-47 rue Vineuse
75016 Paris

Office and Postal Address
34-36 rue Guersant
75017 Paris- France

Telephone + 33 1 47 64 1130