Restore sight for 1,500 women in Pakistan.

At the tender age of 29, Sonia felt her life was over. She had been facing tragedy upon tragedy, hardship upon hardships for almost a decade now. She had married young and was hopeful of a bright, happy future when the first blow was dealt – her husband was an addict and also involved in various bad habits. He refused to earn and expected her to provide for him as well as support the dubious activities he was involved in. Living in a society that condemns women who are divorced for whatever reason, she was left with no other option but to comply; she put to use the only skill she knew – she started sewing clothes.

 This helped her make a living but one son and two daughters later, it was hardly enough to support the still-stubborn husband who refused to give up his ways, as well as the added burden of young children. Sonia tried her best by working harder and trying to stitch as many clothes as she could – a strain that led to the weakening of her eye sight.

 Though alarmed, Sonia put off her diminishing vision – attributing it to stress and working in dim light. Visiting a local clinic, she was brushed aside and told to simply wear glasses to help her see better. Four months of further deterioration had Sonia finally take time out to think of why her eye sight was not improving despite wearing the prescribed spectacles. So she took time out of her busy schedule and visited a hospital that diagnosed her cataract but wrote a fee bill so high for the surgery that she had no option but to turn back.

 Sonia felt this was the final blow and urged relatives and neighbors to take care of her young children while she waited for the inevitable darkness to descend. It was then that someone mentioned LRBT and its free eye care services to her.

 On her first visit, Sonia was examined, diagnosis confirmed and assigned a date for surgery the very next day. Assisted throughout the process, and told that the entire procedure is free of cost, Sonia underwent surgery with anticipation. Her fortune had finally turned for better – she could finally see again!

 Serious by nature and used to the hardships of life, Sonia gave in to tears that had not flown in a long time. She had been most worried about her children’s future and felt that LRBT had given them life by treating her. Thankful and grateful, she wishes her children can do good in this world such as that that LRBT is.

Sonis, along with 4 other women, have had their lives transformed through GlobalGiving and its generous donors. The lives of many women in plight have been given a ray of light that they would not have had otherwise!

Links:

• LRBT - A Beacon of Hope