Author: Colin Zak

Four generations of giving

Rob and Connie Holland’s 50 years of supporting Operation Eyesight is itself a milestone, showing the possibilities for the next generation of donors dedicated to giving the life-changing Gift of Sight.

The power of the Gift of Sight is something Rob and Connie both learned early in life. It is part of a legacy of giving that now spans four generations. Connie’s parents, Walter and Sara Derewianchuk, were active donors to Operation Eyesight, and they shared with their children the power of giving. Likewise, Rob’s parents,… Continue reading Four generations of giving

Making eye care part of health systems

Putting people first – Integrated Peoplecentred Eye Care (IPEC) is the gold standard in global eye health and has been a key part of our approach for decades. Understanding the unique needs, preferences and values of individuals and communities allows us to strengthen health systems in villages like Hong, in Arunachal Pradesh. Here, the vision centre is part of the local wellness centre.

Today, we are one of the few nongovernmental organizations partnering with the Government of India to open vision centres in existing government health facilities, bringing quality eye health care to underserved communities. Together, we are establishing and equipping vision care facilities, training existing healthcare staff and developing a continuum of care for patients – from… Continue reading Making eye care part of health systems

Sustainable impact through community partnership

Through our unique approach, known as our Hospital-Based Community Eye Health Program model, we declared 51 communities or villages across sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia as Avoidable Blindness-Free in 2022, including villages like Asafora, in Ghana. We work with community leaders and healthcare workers to ensure that the community supports and takes ownership of the process.

Asafora is like many other small villages in central Ghana; its several hundred residents are mostly farmers growing cassava and plantain, and many community members have faced barriers to accessing eye health care. What sets this community apart? It is the first village in the country we declared Avoidable Blindness-Free. The December 2022 declaration event… Continue reading Sustainable impact through community partnership

Help for the whole family

Preeti’s entire family – including her three younger brothers – was impacted when she lost her sight following a traumatic eye injury. Thanks to the generosity of donors like you, she received sight-restoring eye surgery free of charge.

For her family, 14-year-old Preeti is more than a daughter and sister – she is a caregiver to her three younger brothers and helps her single father run their household. Preeti also has big dreams for her family, who live together in a remote village in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. “I… Continue reading Help for the whole family