At age 70, Saidur in Bangladesh continues to work on his farm to support his large, extended family. He knows that without his income, his family’s finances would be spread too thin.
But in recent years, farming became increasingly difficult for Saidur as his vision weakened. “It was as if everything had turned dark and blurry,” Saidur recalls. Eventually, his eyesight became so bad that he could no longer work at all. He felt helpless, stuck at home, worrying about the family’s future.
When a community health worker showed up on the family’s doorstep, announcing that she would examine the family’s eyes, Saidur felt the first stirrings of hope. When it was his turn for a screening, the health worker quickly identified him with bilateral cataracts. She explained to him that treatment was available at our partner facility, the Dr. K. Zaman BNSB Hospital in the nearby city of Mymensing, and that he could get the surgery free of charge.
The idea of travelling to the city for surgery was daunting to Saidur, who had never undergone an operation before, but encouraged by the support of the community health worker and his family, he decided to take the leap and committed to getting it done.
After his cataract diagnosis was confirmed at the nearby Madarganj Vision Centre, which we helped establish in partnership with Symbiosis International, Saidur travelled to Mymensingh for his surgery. When the bandages were removed, he was amazed by the results. The world was once again vivid and clear, and he felt the burden of his worries lifting. He received a pair of eyeglasses to further correct his vision, and he soon returned to his farm work – his independence and sense of purpose restored.
After that, Saidur found himself telling anyone who asked about his miraculous transformation. “I’ve already referred at least seven to eight people with eye problems to the vision centre,” he says proudly. “If anyone in my community has vision issues, I will personally take them there.”
Saidur credits the dedication of the community health worker and the team at Dr. K. Zaman BNSB Hospital for their compassionate care, and he is grateful for the financial support for the surgery. “Their care and kindness were beyond measure,” he adds. “I’m very happy to be able to see my grandchildren.”
Now, with his vision restored, Saidur is filled with gratitude and determination to help others access the same life-changing care.
You too can help more people like Saidur access life-changing surgery! Thanks to special donors, this year for Giving Tuesday we are matching $35,000 worth of donations! From Nov. 26 until Dec. 3 (or while matching funds last), your $75 gift will provide not one but TWO sight-saving cataract surgeries!
