Kind words from our hospital partners

This year, we’ve been celebrating 50 years since Operation Eyesight was founded, and we have received a number of letters from the administrators and doctors of our hospital partners, who see the impact our donors are having. These letters speak to our work, but they also recognize the heartfelt generosity of our donors. Here are… Continue reading Kind words from our hospital partners

A caring dad can be a child’s best friend

Along with people in about 75 other countries around the world, Canadians celebrate Father’s Day in June. It’s an opportunity to honour the man who likely is – or was – a huge influence on your life. I wish everyone could have a supportive and caring father like mine. My dad gave the biggest and… Continue reading A caring dad can be a child’s best friend

A child’s brush with blindness

Growing up, my two kids were prone to the usual childhood mishaps… scraped knees, bumped heads, sprained wrists, even the odd black eye. Fortunately, their eye injuries were rare and never vision-threatening. In Africa, however, I saw children with eye traumas caused by large razor-like acacia thorns, sharp splinters of firewood, poorly-aimed rocks and sticks… Continue reading A child’s brush with blindness

Frontline workers reach remote patients in Africa (Part 2 of 2)

Formerly blind from cataracts, Bernard Simiyu now walks long distances to help others see again. (Photo by Ric Rowan.)

Last week, I told you how many African countries are training frontline workers, including public health care staff, schoolteachers, midwives and traditional healers, to identify eye problems and other health concerns when they are working in the community. This type of community development program is highly effective in identifying health risks. When I was at… Continue reading Frontline workers reach remote patients in Africa (Part 2 of 2)