Inesh Swargiary, a 37-year-old teacher from Assam, India, loves his job. He bicycles eight kilometres to work every morning, enjoying the beautiful scenery along the way and smiling at the thought of spending the rest of the day with his Grade 10 students.

Inesh spends most of his time at the front of the classroom, writing lessons on the blackboard. But he began to worry when he started having trouble seeing students sitting beyond the second row. For a long time, he pretended that he could see each one of his pupils, but he knew they were well aware of his deteriorating vision. He dreaded the day when he could no longer see to teach; he needed to work to provide for his elderly mother and two sisters.

One day, a community health worker named Monalisa, one of Inesh’s former students, visited his home. She surveyed the whole family and discovered that Inesh had bilateral cataracts. She encouraged him to visit a screening program in the village where a clinical team could confirm his diagnosis and refer him for treatment. He agreed and was soon on his way to Operation Eyesight’s partner Sri Sankaradeva Nethralaya Hospital for cataract surgery.

Today, Inesh can see clearly and fully enjoy biking and teaching again. He is grateful to Monalisa for recommending that he go for treatment. “I am very proud to be her teacher,” he says happily. “I never expected her to be doing extraordinary work like this.”

Inesh told Monalisa that if she found any patient in his village that required treatment, he would help her counsel the patient to undergo surgery so they too could realize the beauty of vision again.

We hope our donors know just how much of a difference they are making! With their support, we are able to train community health workers like Monalisa, implement hospital-based community eye health programs in villages like Inesh’s, and help thousands of people regain their sight. Thank you!

The post Teacher regains vision thanks to former student appeared first on Operation Eyesight.

Last fall, the Seeing is Believing Child Eye Health Project, one of our partnerships with Standard Chartered Bank, began training teachers of sighted children in Nakuru County. Janeffer was selected to attend the training, which focused on vision screening, general eye health, and eye health education and promotion.

Since her training, Janeffer has screened 152 children and referred 76 of them to the eye unit at Nakuru Provincial Hospital for various eye conditions. Many of the children were suffering from severe allergies. Janeffer advised their parents to take them to the eye unit to be diagnosed and treated.

“Initially, most parents were unaware and didn’t bother much when their child scratched their itchy eyes,” explains Janeffer. “Now they’re aware of the issue. Children who previously suffered from teary, red eyes are now happy their eyes are healed.”

Other students were diagnosed with uncorrected refractive error. Simply put, they needed eyeglasses. Thanks to the generous support from our donors, the students received brand new, custom-fitted prescription eyeglasses.

Grade six student Monica Adongo is one grateful beneficiary. On Janeffer’s recommendation, her mother took her to see an ophthalmologist.

“I am very happy that I can see everything well,” says Monica. “I can read what is written on the board and I don’t need to copy my friends’ work anymore. I am grateful that my teacher recommended I go to the eye unit.”

Janeffer also began a hand and face washing program at her school, after learning that proper sanitation can help prevent the spread of bacteria and eye disease. She found two jerrycans in the school kitchen and had them washed and filled with water. The children are now getting used to the practice of using the water to regularly clean their hands and faces.

Additionally, Janeffer makes eye health presentations to the students. She speaks during morning assemblies and goes from one classroom to other, educating children on proper eye care. She also speaks with the students’ parents whenever she has the opportunity.

“The training I received has made me more sensitive to the eye needs of our children,” says Janeffer. “I have been able to create awareness among my students and some parents on the importance of proper eye health.”

Janeffer plans to educate her fellow teachers on the subject, too, so they can all work together to promote eye health and plan activities for the students.

You can support teachers like Janeffer as they strive to promote eye health in their schools in developing countries. This June, please consider making a tribute gift in honour of your favourite teacher. It’s a great way to say “thank you,” and at the same time help students see a bright future!  

The post Teacher learns how to help students get an A+ in eye health appeared first on Operation Eyesight.