As a mother, I do everything I can to make sure my kids are happy and most importantly; healthy! Not all people are as lucky as I am, to have healthy kids.
Unfortunately, in developing countries, this is a much more difficult task. I was recently told about ORBIS International, a non-profit, global development organization whose mission is to eliminate avoidable blindness in developing countries. ORBIS envisions a world where no one is needlessly blind, where quality eye care, education and treatment are available to every human being. As we all know, our eyes are our main function to get around every day. Not everyone is so lucky.
Did you know that an estimated 45 million children and adults are blind worldwide, two-thirds being women and girls… and every year between 1 and 2 million more will lose their sight? What makes these facts even more upsetting is that 75 percent of cases could have been prevented, or their eyesight restored, if only people had access to proper eye care. Unless steps are taken now, it is estimated that by the year 2020 blindness will affect more than 76 million people! There is hope though. ORBIS, with support from Alcon, carries out programs onboard its Flying Eye Hospital and at hospitals in developing countries to help the blind see. While they are in these countries, ORBIS also trains local doctors and nurses in the latest sight-saving techniques so that they may gain the tools and knowledge needed to carry on the work that is done.
It is so neat to say that this year, ORBIS International will be giving Bloggers an exclusive inside look to see the great work that goes on first hand! These inside accounts are called “Eye Reports,” and will be added to the website weekly to include inspiring moments from the field. I guess you can call this a trip I can take from my own home that will help out ORBIS in so many ways!
For more information, please visit: http://www.orbis-eyereports.org and be sure to check ORBIS out on Facebook!
About Tanya
