Radio reaches those in dire need

Have you ever found that sometimes, the simplest messages are the most heartfelt? Let me tell you about Dawson, 72, and Anisa, 68. This elderly couple live in a tiny one room thatched house in the village of Kajilo, located in Zambia’s North-Western Province. Until quite recently, their lives were miserable because neither of them could… Continue reading Radio reaches those in dire need

We must see through their eyes (Part 1 of 2)

Have you ever wondered why Operation Eyesight is so big on quality? It’s a fair question. Why insist on high international standards for poor people? Isn’t just about anything better than what they have? To answer that, picture a tribal woman in a remote part of India, who is going blind from cataracts. She’s a… Continue reading We must see through their eyes (Part 1 of 2)

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)