Determined and Undeterred: Forging New Paths in the Fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases [Photo Essay]

By Helen Keller Intl
| May 28, 2026

Neglected tropical diseases affect more than a billion people worldwide, and can cause blindness, organ damage, and stunted development, among other long-term consequences. At Helen Keller Intl, eliminating these diseases is core to our mission. And this year, thanks to the determination of our donors, we’re reaching people and places we never could before.

As one of the three winners of the 2025 Kristof Holiday Impact Prize and a recipient of funding through Project Resource Optimization (PRO) – a donor advisory created by former USAID staff – we are temporarily restarting some of the work disrupted by US government funding cuts and beginning work in new countries and communities. While this doesn’t replace the predictable US government funding we previously received, thanks to this generous support, we can plan for the future and continue making progress toward eliminating these diseases.