In a country of 9 million people a quarter of a million are blind, and almost 3 million have significant vision impairment...
Underlying diseases causing blindness and visual impairment that have been largely eradicated in other sub-saharan countries remain epidemic in South Sudan. The prevalence of blindness is about 3 times greater than other East African countries. There is only one functioning eye center with an ophthalmologist serving serving 9 million people - most of whom live in rural areas where there are no healthcare services. (WHO, The World Health Organization, recommends one ophthalmologist for every 400,000 people.)
For every blind person, an average of 5 family members are affected, as the struggle for survival in one of the poorest agrarian countries in the world is shared by everyone. Blind heads of households cannot provide for their families, and blind and severely visually impaired children cannot go to school.
Restoring Sight in South Sudan...
Most of the blindness is avoidable. However, in South Sudan most people do not have access to health care or education about the importance of annual eye examinations to maintain sight. Poverty, inadequate healthcare and the lack of a supply of available eyeglasses renders adequate vision unattainable to most of the population.
Health is the centerpiece of development and the alleviation of poverty for returning refugees. Operation Nehemiah's "Sight for the South Sudan" program is responding to the need...
Operation Nehemiah Missions (www.Operationsnehemiah.org), with equipment supplied by "InFocus" (www.infocusonline.org), a non-profit organization that empowers communities worldwide to improve eye health and prevent blindness, has been doing Eye Care Outreaches in Eastern Equatoria, South Sudan since 2006. The Lion's Club of Berkshire County, Massachusetts has donated thousands of eyeglasses to help in this effort. Families can receive eye exams, quality eye glasses and medication for treatment.
The cost of conducting a two week eye care outreach is $1850.
Please consider supporting this effort. Click on the "Donate Today" button on the right, or sending a check (note "Eye Care") to;
Restoring Sight in South Sudan...
Most of the blindness is avoidable. However, in South Sudan most people do not have access to health care or education about the importance of annual eye examinations to maintain sight. Poverty, inadequate healthcare and the lack of a supply of available eyeglasses renders adequate vision unattainable to most of the population.
Health is the centerpiece of development and the alleviation of poverty for returning refugees. Operation Nehemiah's "Sight for the South Sudan" program is responding to the need...
Operation Nehemiah Missions (www.Operationsnehemiah.org), with equipment supplied by "InFocus" (www.infocusonline.org), a non-profit organization that empowers communities worldwide to improve eye health and prevent blindness, has been doing Eye Care Outreaches in Eastern Equatoria, South Sudan since 2006. The Lion's Club of Berkshire County, Massachusetts has donated thousands of eyeglasses to help in this effort. Families can receive eye exams, quality eye glasses and medication for treatment.
The cost of conducting a two week eye care outreach is $1850.
Please consider supporting this effort. Click on the "Donate Today" button on the right, or sending a check (note "Eye Care") to;
Nehemiah Medical Missions
51 Clinton Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
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