Why What We Do Is Important

Our Mission

The Give Me Sight Foundation’s Mission Statement reads as follows:

Our principle mission is to bring the gift and beauty of eyesight to as many medically underserved people around the world as possible. Furthermore, we will continuously endeavor to deliver this care with the highest level of quality to, and with the deepest empathy and respect for, all whom we serve. To accompany this principle mission, GMSF continuously strive to:

  1. Work with, or to provide, the best equipment possible
  2. Bring a highly qualified team of professionals on all our missions
  3. Educate and train local doctors/nurses/technicians to continue our work on a permanent basis.
  4. Facilitate improved international relations through acting as ‘Ambassadors for Eyesight’
  5. Engage in, and highlight, cultural exchanges that benefit our world, both locally and globally.
  6. Bring inspiration and joy into the lives of others

While our Mission Statement appears to be noble, let’s dig a little deeper into why what we do is important in the first place.

Cataract is the gradual clouding of the eye lens which if left untreated (unremoved) will eventually cause blindness. By far, most of use will get cataract as we age. Things that increase the onset of cataract are continuous exposure to sun, smoking, inflammation, eye diseases and even eye injuries.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 20 million people worldwide suffer cataract blindness, which is the world’s leading cause of blindness. What’s more, WHO also reports that cataract is responsible for 51% of world blindness. And guess what? As people around the world live longer, the numbers of cataract-afflicted is growing.

While cataracts can be easily removed, in too many countries around the world there are significant obstacles that prevent patients to accessing a simple cataract-removal surgery. The biggest obstacles to surgery include access to surgical centers and poverty.

cataract

Effects on Lives

In under-developed countries, families are very integral for survival. This ensures an all-hands-on-deck mentality. In other words, all family members need to contribute in some way for the survival of the family unit.

When people develop cataract, and when they do not have the money for a surgery, or access to a surgical center to get it done, they eventually go blind. This ensures that they are far less able to contribute towards the survival of the family unit. To put it more bluntly, they become an extra mouth to feed. Now, put yourself, for even a few moments, into the shoes of a person who not only has to suffer the gradual onset of blindness, but also the feeling of being a drag on the family. How do you think you’d feel? Helpless? Useless? Frustrated? Sad? Depressed?

This is where the Give Me Sight Foundation comes in to help.

By going on annual mission trips to countries like Myanmar, Guatemala etc; OR funding the purchase of surgical equipment in hospitals that provide free cataract removal procedures; OR providing financing for doctors in other countries to do the work, we are playing our role in dramatically improving the quality of life for individuals all around the world!

Donations

Of course, we are a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization. This means we need to raise funds for the above so that we can be as effective as possible in not only restoring the gift of sight for cataract-afflicted, but restoring quality of life for countless individuals. Even a $5 donation can help return the gift of sight and quality of life of one person!

If you would kindly consider being a part of our cause by making a tax-deductible donation, you can rest assured that you are literally making a massive difference in the quality of life of someone, or people. To donate, click here. Your help is greatly appreciated!

If you want to get the actual stories of people who have benefited from our cause, and watch them transform from victim of cataract-blindness to empowered and happy people once again, watch our award-winning documentary below!

Thank you for your help and generosity!