These were Sushila’s overjoyed words when her two young children, Samjhana, 10, and Anshu, 6, saw clearly for the first time following successful cataract surgery, made possible by people like you. Read their journey from childhood blindness to restored sight below.
“My children can see the world now!”
From treatable blindness…
We shared Samjhana and Anshu’s story as part of our Christmas appeal, and it has been wonderful to see how it has resonated with so many of you. Their family lives in Nepal, South Asia, and for most of their lives, the children had struggled to see due to blinding cataracts in both of their eyes.
Their mother, Sushila, tends a small plot of land and grows seasonal crops to support her family. But, living in one of the world’s most rural and poorest communities, the cost of treatment to save Samjhana and Anshu’s sight was far out of reach.
When we first met Samjhana and Anshu, they were falling behind at school and missing out on playing and making friends. They were shy, withdrawn and fearful.
But everything began to change when an eyescreening team from our partner, the Sagaramatha Choudhary Eye Hospital, visited their school. Their eyes were examined and they were diagnosed with cataracts. Finally, the cause of their blindness was understood – and it could be treated.
…to restored sight.
Funded by your donations, Samjhana and Anshu, and their mother, were transported to our partner hospital, and the children received the cataract surgery they urgently needed.
Our team in Nepal visited Samjhana and Anshu again after their surgery, and the transformation is clear. Their school attendance has increased, and they are doing well in their studies. Sushila also shared that they have now made good friends with the other children, and go outside and play. None of this had felt possible just a few months ago. They are no longer shy, smiling widely at each other as they play and draw together.
My children can see the world now!
Sushila
Samjhana and Anshu's mother
Our work
Everyone deserves the chance to see the world clearly.
- We enable adults and children receive sight-restoring cataract surgery no matter where they live, often by running outreach camps in remote places where people might not have access to eye hospitals.
- We support screening programmes that find people in need of eye care and enable them access to treatment. This helps to detect vision problems early and provide access to life-changing treatments.
- We train specialist doctors, nurses, and other health workers to identify and treat eye conditions. By equipping hospital eye departments with resources and expertise, we help communities gain access to quality eye care services for long into the future.
- We provide glasses and low vision devices to people who need them. These simple tools enhance vision and empower people to lead more independent lives.
Our impact
Last year, thanks to our supporters and alongside our in country expert partners, we helped over a million people gain access to eye-related medical services and helped thousands of people to see again and with your cataract surgery.
1.9 million
people access eye-related medical services