Victoria Isbael of Totonicapan, Guatemala © Joe Raffanti | Seva Foundation
At this very moment, solutions and tools exist to solve one of the world’s most urgent public health crises—a crisis so enormous that it affects 1.1 billion people worldwide. Moreover, 90 percent of these cases are entirely preventable or treatable. Millions of lives could be transformed instantly, profoundly, and inexpensively. We’re talking about vision loss.
Vision is fundamental to leading a full life. Reading a book, preparing a meal, learning at school, work, or anything for that matter, first rests on our ability to see. Yet, today, millions of people live with vision loss, mostly in developing countries where access to eye care is limited or practically nonexistent. In these countries, a life without sight can be catastrophic: kids struggle to receive an education. They are often forced to leave school, parents are unable to find work, and entire families are thrown into cycles of poverty. In fact, it’s why the World Bank states that restoring sight is one of the most cost-effective interventions for reducing poverty.
Since 1978, the Seva Foundation, a global eye care organization, has tackled the global crisis of preventable blindness head-on. Seva builds world-class, sustainably led, and equitable eye care systems worldwide, literally bringing eye care to the doorsteps of remote communities. Through Seva’s network, 57 million people across 20+ countries, including Native Americans in the U.S., have received critical and life-transforming eye care services—millions of people today are able to see, some for the first time ever.
Restoring sight benefits the individual who can now see and enables entire communities and nations to thrive. Groundbreaking research from Seva, published by the World Health Organization Bulletin, proves this: Every $1 invested in eye health results in $36 in benefits across society. That includes improved learning, better income, or increased productivity. Clear sight means more people can go back to school, earn a living, and lead independent lives. Still, millions struggle to access vision services.
Across decades, Seva’s community of supporters—tens of thousands strong!—have worked tirelessly to change this paradigm, creating access to eye care in underserved communities, building the capacity of new and existing eye hospitals and systems, and collecting and learning from evidence. Seva also invests in and develops revolutionary eye care technology that improves diagnostic and treatment capabilities. Their groundbreaking plan, ‘Guatemala Brillando,’ is poised to eliminate avoidable blindness in the nation by 2032, creating access to eye care for the country’s entire population—17 million people. This blueprint will subsequently be scaled to neighboring countries and the world.
Founded by an extraordinary group of scientists, musicians, activists, and leaders and led today by a fearless team of doctors, public health professionals, hospitals, and community workers, Seva makes a lasting difference in the lives of others and our world. It all starts with sight—and transforming lives starts with you.
A SEVA STORY
Imagine living in darkness for an entire year. Now imagine having that all change in 15 minutes. This is what happened to 21-year-old Victoria Isbael. Victoria lives with her parents, Indigenous K’iche, and the sweetest family ever in a one-bedroom house on the outskirts of Totonicapan, Guatemala. Most of their home is taken up by a wooden loom that they use to craft beautiful textiles later sold to their local market. Outside is a small plot of land where they grow squash, maize, and other delicious foods. Victoria proudly helped her family with these daily activities and worked as a seamstress to earn a living—until vision loss put her life at a standstill.
Victoria developed cataracts in both her eyes and for an entire year, she could not see. She struggled to work and live her life independently, relying on the support of her parents. While walking alone, she could not see and often fell down. Victoria even faced bullying from peers for the way her eyes looked.
Through Seva and the generosity of supporters like you, Victoria was treated with a simple 15-minute cataract surgery that instantly and profoundly transformed her life. “The first time I could see was during the surgery. I noticed the light and was feeling so happy,” Victoria shared. With clear sight, Victoria can once again read (her favorite pastime), continue her work as a seamstress, and safely walk on her own without fear of falling or harassment.
When leaving Victoria’s home, her parents expressed how grateful they were for the treatment and support they received from the clinic where Victoria was treated and from Seva supporters. Millions of more stories like this today exist—moms, dads, sisters, brothers, and grandparents who can now see and lead independent lives. A simple pair of eyeglasses, medication, or, in Victoria’s case, a cataract surgery, can change everything. Today, Victoria’s future is as bright as ever—and it’s all thanks to donors like you.
Join us and become part of the solution. Visit seva.org to learn more about our mission of a world free of avoidable blindness, find out how you can get involved, and hear Victoria’s story in her own heartwarming words.
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Seva is a global nonprofit eye care organization that works with local communities around the world to develop self-sustaining programs that preserve and restore sight.