“When I was walking, I couldn't see. It was really scary,” recalls Jaonah, of Sambava, Madagascar, who had lost his sight by eight years old.
"My biggest worry? That he would die," shares his father.
Jaonah's situation is more common for children in low- and middle-income countries than for children here in Canada, and yet, four out of 10 children who are blind would be able to see if they had early access to care.
Over 800,000 children could be cured of blindness, and two out of three are girls in low-income countries—where even the most basic eye care services continue to be out of reach.
That's where Seva Canada steps in, coupled with the generous gifts made by Seva Canada donors. Seva works with local partners to create sustainable and equitable eye care programs that achieve long-term change, are culturally sensitive, and reach those most in need—women, children and people living in extreme poverty and isolation.
"Girls are blind more often than boys because of the barriers they face in accessing care," says Liz Brant, executive director, Seva Canada.
"Our programs are designed to try to overcome those barriers, we give counselling to the entire family and child, provide transportation, food and accommodation, all to try to increase the chance that the child will ultimately get the help they need."
Tejitu from Ethiopia, was blind from cataracts since age three, but because of Seva Canada donors, girls like her have equal access to eye care services. When Tejitu was 17 years old, her sight was restored with surgery and she was able to continue her education and pursue her dream of becoming a doctor.
Jaonah's story has a happy ending, too. After being diagnosed with cataracts at the eye hospital run by Seva's local Malagasy partners, he received sight-restoring surgery, paid for by Canadian donors.
Now 15 and an active teen, Jaonah has been able to return to school, laying the foundation for a full and independent life. And, he has big aspirations, “I want to be mayor of our town and help our community."
Solutions to help children and families thrive
When a child can see, they can go to school, play with friends and help lift themselves and their family out of poverty, and ultimately, benefit entire communities.
As was the case for Jaonah; both he and his family now have a better life. "We don’t have to worry about him and take care of him all day," his father revealed.
Finding and treating children with eye problems early is crucial to ensuring healthy vision for life. Seva Canada establishes Community Eye Centres (CECs) in remote communities that provide year-round access to eye exams and glasses.
"We use eye care advocates, community volunteers and/or outreach workers to go door to door in remote communities to find children in need of eye care and connect them to the eye care services (always in conjunction with the nearest CEC & eye hospital)," says Brant.
How your donation helps kids to see
You can give kids in low- and middle-income countries the gift of sight for as little as $25. When you donate by December 31, 2023, you will double your impact. All donations up to $2,500 will be matched to a maximum of $100,000.
A little goes a long way in making a difference in preventing blindness and restoring a child's ability to see. Look what your donation will accomplish:
- $25 doubles to $50 and helps 10 children see with prescription glasses
- $50 doubles to $100 to provide eye screenings for children in schools to catch eye problems early
- $150 doubles to $300 and cures two children’s blindness with cataract surgery including a lens implant; follow-up care is provided along with glasses, medications and transportation
This holiday season, you have the power through your donation to help twice as many children see, helping to ensure their good health, well-being, and educational attainment, as well as, help them realize their own potential—just like Jaonah and Tejitu.
For more information, visit seva.ca, or donate at seva.ca/see-their-potential.
