Stenwell lives in a small village in India, and he loves nothing more than to spend time playing with his grandchild. His family means the world to him, and he does his best to help take care of them. He helped contribute on the farm, but because that wasn’t enough to sustain his family, he also worked odd labour jobs in his village whenever he had the chance.

When his vision started to blur, Stenwell didn’t think much of it at first. He figured it was just a symptom of his age and a normal part of growing older.

But he became increasingly concerned as his vision deteriorated over the next three years. He realized something was very wrong, but with his family’s difficult financial situation, he knew he couldn’t afford to seek treatment. Without any options, Stenwell feared his blindness was a punishment from God.

This is where someone just like you stepped in to help. Thanks to our donors’ support, our partner, Bansara Eye Care, held an eye screening camp in Stenwell’s community. Operation Eyesight-trained  community health workers went out into the village to inform everyone that there would be an eye screening camp. They reached every household, including  Stenwell’s.

“When the health worker explained that I could get help for my condition, I was filled with new hope,” says Stenwell.

At the eye camp, Stenwell was diagnosed with cataracts in both eyes. He was told that two simple surgeries could restore his sight, and that the surgeries would be free of charge.

“I was anxious about the surgery, but the community health worker explained that the surgeries would be minor procedures that would help me see clearly again,” recalls Stenwell. “They were patient with me, and I felt I could trust them fully.”

For Stenwell, it was like magic to SEE again after receiving surgery. People like you made that possible! Stenwell was reached through our community eye health program and received the treatment he needed for free.

“I am extremely thankful to the people who helped me see again,” says Stenwell. “Coming from a humble family I never thought that I could get hope for my vision. Had it not been for the community health workers and the doctors of Bansara Eye Care, I could’ve gone blind permanently.”

Stenwell is now back to playing with his grandchild and helping his family with the farming, while taking time to garden when he wants to relax. His life has been transformed and he’s regained his independence, all because of our donors. Thank you!

There are thousands of people like Stenwell waiting for people like you to help restore their sight. YOU can change lives like Stenwell’s with a donation today!

Emilia, pictured above, sits with her beloved grandchildren whose beautiful faces she can SEE thanks to the support of people like YOU!

It’s so easy to forget the true meaning of the holiday season when we get caught up in the stress of shopping to find the perfect gift. Rather than rushing to the mall to find things your loved ones don’t really need, surprise them by giving the gift of sight!

A donation to Operation Eyesight is a thoughtful and meaningful gift. When you donate in someone else’s name, the recipient will receive a greeting card and a description of the important work the gift will support. To order today, visit www.operationeyesight.com/giftguide or call us toll-free at 1-800-585-8265.

Even better, become a monthly donor and invest in our work throughout the year! All year long, your support will help people like Emilia.

Emilia was an independent mother of eight living in Rangmaw, India. She kept busy with gardening and cooking, and she loved playing with her grandchildren. Unfortunately, she began to suffer from age-related cataract and she could no longer do these things.

“I was miserable,” Emilia said. “I felt like a huge burden on my family.”

This was not the life she wanted, but with no understanding of her condition and no financial resources to seek medical assistance, she helplessly assumed that

her vision would continue to worsen until the end of her life.

Everything changed with the arrival of a community health worker at her door.

The community health worker had been trained by Operation Eyesight to conduct door-to-door eye screenings. She assessed Emilia’s condition and referred her to our partner, Bansara Eye Care Hospital, for cataract surgery. Thanks to someone like YOU, Emilia received surgery for free. Her vision was restored, bringing hope to a family who had lost all hope.

Your generous gifts this holiday season will provide families like Emilia’s with a brighter future! We hope you’ll consider giving the gift of sight today.

And on behalf of all of us at Operation Eyesight, our warmest wishes for a merry Christmas and a happy, healthy new year!