Author: Colin Zak

A father’s livelihood and hope restored

With his sight restored, Milan has been able to return to work at the tea estate. Through the generosity of donors like you, he has regained his independence and is now able to support his four children.

The ancient art of ‘tea plucking”’ requires the picker to identify and pluck only the freshest, newest shoots on the tea plant. It requires dexterity, speed and, most importantly, excellent eyesight.  So, imagine trying to pick tea efficiently when your eyes are clouded over with cataracts.  This was the situation for 36-year-old Milan, who lives… Continue reading A father’s livelihood and hope restored

Healthy students, healthy futures

Thanks to the generosity of our partners and donors, these students now have access to clean, fresh water. This in turn has helped improve attendance. Photo: Zenegnaw Adimtew / Partners in Education Ethiopia.

Every parent wants their child to be safe, happy and healthy at school – Abichikili Secondary School is no exception.  It’s one of five schools across Ethiopia’s state of Amhara where the attendance rate for girls decreases each year due to inaccessibility of clean water and bathroom facilities.  “Students had to walk for more than… Continue reading Healthy students, healthy futures

A lifetime of generosity

Audrey Wilson worked as an environmental education teacher throughout her career and has had a lifelong passion for helping others – including animals and birds. She’s been donating to Operation Eyesight since our early days and still gives today because she’s seen our impact first-hand.

Audrey Wilson, 88, first learned about Operation Eyesight from an uncle who attended a talk given by Dr. Ben Gullison, whose work in Sompeta, India inspired Art Jenkyns to start our organization in 1963. “Nearly six decades ago, that meeting planted seeds that have grown into a lifetime of giving,” Audrey recalls. “It was one… Continue reading A lifetime of generosity

A passion for care and community

As a community health nurse, Felicia is a trusted leader in her community. Thanks to her primary eye care training, she’s now able to take the care she provides to the next level.

Our global team of more than 2,000 community health workers are our first point of contact with many communities. That’s why they need to have the right mix of training and passion. For 37-year-old Felicia from Obrachire, in southern Ghana, seeing how prescription eyeglasses made it possible for her own daughter to read helped fuel… Continue reading A passion for care and community