This Diwali we are shining a light on our work in India, and how your support can help children like Sajiya. Thanks to a sight-saving surgery, she’s now looking forward to a brighter future.
India is home to around 25% of the world's blind population and has the largest number of blind children in any one country.
Sajiya is 10 years old and lives in Bihar, India. Her family suspected that she was struggling with sight loss from a young age.
She often needed help carrying out tasks other children of her age could do independently. Sajiya also complained of eye pain and being unable to see clearly, which stopped her from going to school and making friends.
During an Orbis-supported door-to-door screening, Sajiya finally got a diagnosis, which gave her hope that she would be able to see.
The team identified her as having a cataract in her left eye, and she was referred to Akhand Jyoti Eye Hospital to have surgery to remove the cataract.
A cataract is a clouding of the lens which blocks the light from passing into the eye. Over time, the cataract blocks more and more light entering the eye - causing vision loss and without treatment, eventual blindness.
On the day of her cataract surgery, Sajiya’s grandfather went with her to the hospital, and stood by her every step of the way.
The surgery changed Sajiya’s life as she knew it, and being able to see brought her great joy and hope.
“The happiest moment for me was to be able to see my family - my mother, brothers, sisters, grandparents – whose faces I had never seen before!”
Now she has been given a second chance at life, Sajiya is now looking to join a school and is excited to make friends and enjoy her childhood.
Thanks to cataract surgery, Sajiya is now able to see.
There are millions of children across India, like Sajiya, whose sight can and must be saved. By supporting our See the Light appeal for Diwali, you can help continue our sight-saving work across India so children can receive an education, and families can see a brighter future.
