Provide Sight to 10,000 Blind Children in Pakistan

6 years old Taha was a normal happy active child. One of the best students in his class, all the teachers were fond of him. Taha has an older brother and a sister and to him there is nothing better in the world than playing with his siblings.  

Taha’s father, a laborer, despite earning a meager sum of Rs. 10,000 and living in a rented house, still manages to send his children to school and hopes to see them go to college. He always regrets that he had not been able to complete his education but hopes that his children will be able to make something of themselves. Yet despite their poverty and the struggle to make ends meet they were content.

However, that started to change with the appearance of whiteness in Taha’s left eye. Belonging to a poor family, Taha was at a disadvantage as his mother who was illiterate could not fathom the reason for these spots and ignored them thinking they will go away with time. But as time passed, Taha’s class teacher noticed that he was not paying attention in class and had difficulty reading. A content confident child, Taha had now become withdrawn and quiet.  

His teacher discussed the strange white spots in Taha’s eyes with her husband who was a doctor and he told her to immediately inform Taha’s parents and tell them to take him to an ophthalmologist for a checkup. Taha’s teacher called his parents for a meeting the very next day. By this time the whiteness had become prominent, worried that their youngest child may be blind already, they rushed him to a nearby private clinic. The doctor upon examination told his parents that he will need a corneal graft surgery, and that was the only solution to restore their son’s sight. The doctor also informed them that the surgery will cost Rs. 150,000 and they will have to wait till a cornea can be arranged.

Taha’s father having no savings was devastated to hear the cost, but he knew that he could not stand by and do nothing while his son lost his future. He contacted his uncle who had undergone an eye operation a couple of years ago and his uncle told him about LRBT free eye care hospital.

Taha’s father took him to LRBT Korangi where he was examined in the Pediatric clinic and after routine protocols booked for surgery.

Taha underwent surgery and is now returning back to his routine life. His parents were surprised and ecstatic, that there are people who do not know them personally, yet wish them well and are making it possible for those who cannot afford treatment to receive free quality eye care.

The twinkle is back in Taha’s eyes and he has returned to school with renewed hope and aims to perform even better than before.

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