LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Three institutions that work together to fight blindness and poverty in Africa are sharing a 1 million euro ($1.1 million) prize from a Portuguese foundation.

The award announced Monday night is being given to the Tanzania-based Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthamology, the U.S.-based Seva Foundation and Seva Canada.

The three groups run a project to cure destitute Africans of blindness while promoting sustainable development projects and microcredit programs aimed at improving quality of life.

The Lisbon-based Champalimaud Foundation's annual Vision Award was created in 2007 and claims to be the biggest cash award for work on eyesight and one of the world's largest scientific prizes

The foundation says the money awarded this year will help cure thousands of blind African children and ensure that others do not lose their sight.