Free visual care
High-quality examinations and individually tailored glasses for everyone in need.
Everyone has the right to see well
Mission: Restoring vision
Since 2009, we have been organizing medical missions in Poland and Moldova. We examine your eyesight, select the appropriate correction and provide glasses to people in need completely free of charge.
About the project
Bartimaeus project: humanitarian optometry since 2009
We try to help all people, including those who cannot afford the goods offered by today's optics and optometry.
Industry cooperation
We engage optometrists, opticians, ophthalmologists and manufacturers of frames and lenses.
Local Development
We support local communities in Moldova in their development.
Mission to Moldova
We support local Christian communities in evangelization.
Industry partners
Companies and institutions that have especially supported us:
- Centrum Lepszego Widzenia (otwiera się w nowej karcie)
- Misja przyjaciół Mołdawii (otwiera się w nowej karcie)
- Kosciół Nowa Nadzieja w Poznaniu (otwiera się w nowej karcie)
- Kościół Zielonoświątkowy w Poznaniu (otwiera się w nowej karcie)
- Uniwersytet Medyczny im. Karola Marcinkowskiego w Poznaniu (otwiera się w nowej karcie)
- Jai Kudo (otwiera się w nowej karcie)
- Hoya (otwiera się w nowej karcie)
- Szajna (otwiera się w nowej karcie)
- Essilor (otwiera się w nowej karcie)
- Zeiss (otwiera się w nowej karcie)
- Hayne (otwiera się w nowej karcie)
- Optometria Rudzińscy (otwiera się w nowej karcie)
- Sawin Optyka-Optometria (otwiera się w nowej karcie)
- OPTYKeR (otwiera się w nowej karcie)
- Misja Przyjaciół Dzieci (otwiera się w nowej karcie)
0+people examined
0+glasses issued
2,009year established
0countries of operationPoles, Moldovans, Ukrainians
Team
Founders
The project was initiated by the couple of optometrists Hanna and Piotr Buczkowski.
Dr n. med. Hanna Buczkowska
Co-founder and project coordinator, optometrist, orthoptist, coach, pastor's wife at New Hope Church in Poznań
Graduate of optometry at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań (2005), orthoptist, assistant professor at the Department of Optometry, Poznań Medical University. PhD in medical sciences (2016). Specializes in paediatric optometry, vision therapy, orthoptics and vision rehabilitation. Author and co-author of scientific papers and conference reports. Co-founder of the Better Vision Center. Since 2009, together with her husband, she has coordinated the Bartimaeus Project: free eye exams and glasses for people in need in Poland and Moldova. Initiator and head of the first postgraduate studies in Poland for optometrists in Vision Rehabilitation at Poznań Medical University.
Mgr Piotr Buczkowski
Co-founder and project coordinator, optometrist, pastor of New Hope Church in Poznań
Master of physics, optometry specialization (Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, 2005). Co-founder of the Better Vision Center. Clinical optometrist with 21 years of experience, specializing in refractive error correction and binocular vision, contactology, geriatric and paediatric optometry. Co-coordinates the Bartimaeus Project since 2009. Pastor of New Hope Church in Poznań.
Mission team
These are just a few people in the foreground. Since 2009, hundreds of volunteers, optometrists, students and industry partners have helped us on Bartimaeus Project missions; every trip is backed by a whole community of kind-hearted people.
dr. Katarzyna Kreft
Zespół Misyjny
Lekarz specjalista okulistyki ,strabolog z 35 letnim doświadczeniem zawodowym. Kierownik Oddziału Okulistycznego dla Dzieci Szpital Copernicus Gdańsk Zaspa. Specjalizuje się w diagnostyce i korekcji wad wzroku, leczeniu chorób oczu u dzieci, w szczególności leczenie zachowawcze i zabiegowe choroby zezowej oraz diagnozowaniem retinopatii wczesniaczej, leczeniem fotokoagulacją laserową /podawaniem injekcji doszklistkowych. Szkoli lekarzy w trakcie specjalizacji z okulistyki oraz ortoptystki. Od 20 lat zakochana w Jezusie, pragnąca żyć w posłuszeństwie Jego Słowu. Służy w Kościele i dzieli się Ewangelią o zbawieniu w domu, w pracy, wśród sąsiadów i znajomych.
Mgr Monika Koper
Mission team
Optometrist with many years of experience working with visually impaired patients. In 2024 she took part in a mission to Moldova for the first time together with Hanna and Piotr Buczkowski, providing free eye exams to people in need.
Mgr Anna Bełdowska
Misson Team
Optometrist and orthoptist with a particular passion for pediatric optometry. Has been working in clinical practice since 2006. Committed to continuous professional development and lifelong learning, currently pursuing postgraduate studies in Vision Rehabilitation at the Poznań University of Medical Sciences. Has been participating in mission trips as part of the Bartimeus Project since 2019.
Mission trips
Charity missions with free eye exams
We have been organizing trips to Poland, Moldova and Ukraine for over a decade.
Mission to Moldova, July 2026
Another mission trip with free eye exams and glasses. Preparations are underway — you can support the team before departure.
See the preview and support the tripMission to Moldova, July 2024
Another aid trip to Recea. 251 patients examined, 362 pairs of glasses issued.
251 exams362 glassesMission to Moldova, 2021
Examinations in Recea. 196 patients examined, 300 pairs of glasses.
196 exams300 glassesMission to Moldova, 2019
Examinations in Gotesti and Recea. Three specialist teams. 400 people examined, 700 pairs of glasses issued.
400 exams700 glassesMission to Moldova, 2017
Examinations in Recea and Gotesti. 270 people examined, 340 pairs of glasses.
270 exams340 glassesMission to Moldova, Gotesti
Trip to Gotesti. 200 pairs of glasses made in Poland before departure.
370 exams360 glassesMission to Moldova, Straseni children's home
Another trip to Moldova, help for children from the children's home in Straseni.
Mission to Moldova, Straseni and Sieriec
First trip to Moldova in cooperation with Bożenka and Marek Gwóźdź. Examinations at the polyclinic in Straseni and in Sieriec. Accommodation at the Metanoia mission house (Friends of Children Mission).
300 exams500 glassesActivities in Poland, Everyone Has the Right to See Well charity campaigns
Free eye exams for people in poverty, homeless people and children from children's homes, in cooperation with the Department of Optometry, Poznań Medical University. 400 people examined, 590 pairs of glasses.
400 exams590 glasses
Mission to Moldova
Glasses and hope for the community in Moldova
As part of the Bartimaeus Project, we help local Christian communities in Moldova.
Field research
Free eye examinations in hard-to-reach places in Moldova.
Tailor-made glasses
Glasses individually selected for each person's visual impairment.
The medical mission is multi-stage
- Eye examination and selection of frames in Moldova
- Installation of lenses in Poland
- Re-arrival and dispensing of glasses to patients
Local Partnership
Collaboration with churches and organizations on site.
Training future generations of missionaries
Young people learn to show the love of Jesus in practice.
Next trip
We have another charity mission ahead of us
We are preparing for a trip with free eye exams and glasses for people in need.
Support the upcoming trip
Your donation helps cover volunteer travel costs and diagnostic equipment.
- Free eye exams in hard-to-reach places
- Individually tailored glasses for children and adults
- Equipment and supplies needed for field work
Video relations
From the mission with your own eyes
Videos and reports from Bartimaeus Project mission trips.
summary of the 2026 mission (I stage)
Path of the patient
Mission Day Four
Gallery
Moments from charity missions
Support us
Your donation improves vision for those in need
Every donation helps cover volunteer travel costs (currently around PLN 1,300 per person) and diagnostic equipment for upcoming missions. Frames and lenses come from partners and collections. Put Bartymeusz in the transfer title.
Pentecostal Church in Poznań
A donation with the title "Bartimaeus".
Transfer title: Bartimaeus
37 1020 4027 0000 1302 0308 7418In-kind donations
We accept used and new glasses and frames in good condition.
Center for Better Vision ul. Poznańska 31 62-070 Dąbrówka We accept used and new glasses and frames in good condition.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to questions about the Bartimaeus Project, donations, and how to support a charitable mission.
The Bartimaeus project is an initiative of humanitarian optometry coordinated since 2009 by Hanna and Piotr Buczkowski. We provide free eye exams and individually tailored glasses for the poor in Poland and Moldova.
Humanitarian optometry is a pro bono activity: free eye exams and glasses for people who, due to poverty or exclusion, do not have access to professional care. In the Bartimaeus Project, each pair of glasses is individually matched and research is carried out by qualified specialists.
You can make a donation to the account of the Pentecostal Church in Poznań (37 1020 4027 0000 1302 0308 7418), enter "Bartimaeus" in the title of the transfer.
Yes, we accept used and new glasses and frames in good condition. Send them to the following address: Centrum Lepszego Widzenia ul. Poznańska 31, 62-070 Dąbrówka.
Currently, the easiest way is a bank transfer with the title "Bartimaeus". In the bank application, you can use Blik to make a transfer, enter your account number and title. We are working on integrating online payments (Blik, quick transfers).
Behind the project is a couple of optometrists Hanna and Piotr Buczkowski, the owners of the Better Vision Center in Dąbrówka and Poznań. They cooperate with foundations, churches, universities and optical companies. Pastors of the church New Hope in Poznań.
Contact Us
Contact us
Inspiration
Bartimaeus: from darkness to light
Mark 10:51-52
Lord, I want to see! Jesus said to him, "Go, your faith has saved you." And immediately he regained his sight and followed Him on the way.
The inspiration for our work is the story of the blind beggar Bartimaeus, who met the Son of God and experienced His love when he could begin to see. Bartimaeus's life was transformed after an extraordinary encounter with Jesus. The project's activities are aimed at people similar to Bartimaeus: the poor, homeless, or those in crisis. We believe that as children of God we are the light of the world, and without light, seeing is impossible. We want to show people God's goodness and love through real help: good vision, so that they can not only see the world around them clearly, but also have a true picture of God.