Ayan was born with white spots on his eyes. His father, Sayed said “I was really helpless and confused about what I would do.”
Refugee Week 2025 - Seeing a Brighter Future in Cox's Bazar
In the crowded, hilly refugee camps of Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, over a million Rohingya people live in desperate conditions, fleeing violence, heartbreak, and unimaginable loss. Among them is 1-year-old Ayan.
Fleeing Violence, Searching for Safety
Just four months ago, Sayed and his six children escaped from Myanmar. Their peaceful village had been attacked. Fifteen days before Eid, their house was set on fire. During one of the attacks, Sayed’s daughter, tragically died of a heart attack. “Eid was like a nightmare for us,” Sayed recalls.
Heartbroken and homeless, Sayed and his children cross the Naf River into Bangladesh, hoping for safety. Now they are safe in the camp, but life in the refugee camp is a daily struggle.
“I had my own auto rickshaw business in Myanmar, but here, I am helpless. There is no fixed income. We live on the relief we receive.” The story Sayed shares is typical of many of those that will be shared this Refugee Week 2025.
Help bring sight, hope, and a brighter future to displaced children who need us most.
A Knock on the Door
One day, Orbis eye care workers came to Sayed’s shelter, conducting house-to-house screenings. That visit changed everything.
They examined Ayan’s eyes and immediately referred him to the Balukhali Vision Center for further care. With the help of his brother, Sayed made the journey to the clinic.
“It was a relief to hear that he could receive treatment,” Sayed says.
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Life-Changing Surgery
At the hospital, doctors diagnosed Ayan with cataracts, a condition that clouds the eye and can lead to blindness. But there was hope.
“They told me they would provide free surgery for Ayan, and I felt a bit relieved,” Sayed says. “I just want my son to be healthy and happy.”
Thanks to your support, Ayan received surgery and is now recovering well. The doctors are hopeful for his future. A little boy who was once losing his sight now has the chance to see the world around him.
This World Refugee Week, Let’s Not Look Away
World Refugee Week is a time to recognise the strength and courage of people forced to flee their homes. Families like Sayed’s are not just surviving, they’re fighting every day for their children’s futures.
Eye conditions like Ayan’s are treatable. But for many refugee children, help is out of reach until someone like you steps in.
You Can Help a Child Like Ayan
There are so many more children like Ayan, waiting in darkness for a chance to see.
This World Refugee Week, donate to Orbis. Help bring sight, hope, and a brighter future to displaced children who need us most.
