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Dublin Bus Driver Christy Butler sees Sightsavers' work in India firsthand

 

On a recent visit to India, arrangements were made by Sightsavers International, for me to visit one of their partners’ clinics in Gujarat State, near the town of Bharuch. Having fundraised for the charity for three years, I had only dreamt of such a visit and was eager to see for myself the amazing work being carried out by Sightsavers for the needlessly blind of the developing world.

It soon became clear that working at SEWA Rural Clinic is more a vocation, a way of life, than a job. Its motto, ‘For the poorest of the poor’ is very appropriate. Its catchment area comprises 2 million people from 130 villages, 99.9 per cent of whom are poor, and covers an area bigger than Leinster.

Accompanied by Dr Adjid, an ophthalmologist, and Adjuntra Sunvaa and Mahesh, part of the Outreach Team, I was taken to see the results of the clinics outreach work. In a small house in the first village we visit I spoke to a woman who is totally blind and has been helped by Sightsavers International to set up her little shop. Since opening her shop she has become a respected member of the village and is able to provide for herself.

The next call brought us to visit a man who, although blind, is well able to harvest his crop and to provide for his family. Sightsavers International helped to set him up with the purchase of the land.

In another village we met a totally blind woman who runs an electric flour mill. The village had come to depend on her to run the mill. She was able to provide for her family and to become a valuable member of the community – again, with the help of Sightsavers International and SEWA Rural. These are just three examples of the work carried out by the Outreach Programme and Sightsavers International.

Many elderly people in India believe that cataract is a disease of old age and have to be coaxed to come to the clinic/hospital for treatment. As they are found and examined, a 20-seater bus provided by Sightsavers International to help the Outreach Team, ferries them to the clinic for treatment, some from 100 km away. After the operation they are returned to their village. A follow up is carried out by an ophthalmologist in a Landrover provided by Sightsavers International. Due to the vast area covered by the clinic, the bus and Landrover are essential to the smooth running of the Outreach Programme.

The next day, 20 new arrivals were being prepared for surgery. Feeling a little apprehensive as I went to watch a cataract operation, my initial fears soon receded and I became engrossed in the operation. I followed the ophthalmologist’s delicate movements on a TV above the operating table, as he removed the cataract using tiny instruments. It looked simple, took less than 20 minutes and cost about €25. Such a small amount to restore someone’s eyesight. Twenty more operations followed.

Afterwards, I went back out to visit a rural primary health care centre supported by Sightsavers International. Located some 50 km from the main clinic, it is manned 24/7 by a young man. He lives on the premises with his wife and son. He is a paramedic with huge responsibilities, in the front line, so to speak, of the Outreach Programme. Once again, equipment and transport play a major role in the successful running of this Primary Care Facility. This is more than a job to this young man, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for the poorest of the poor. It’s a vocation! I was honoured to meet him. He did not wish to have his photo taken or his name mentioned.

Returning to the clinic I had the privilege of presenting awards to three young men. They too would be setting off the following day to man a primary care facility. So much depends on them.

I had an amazing time, a life-changing time, at the clinic. It gave me a greater perspective of the work of Sightsavers International and its partner organisations in Jhagadia District of Bharuch and also on life itself.

Unnecessary blindness is hard but combined with poverty and harsh living conditions, it makes life unbearable. Having witnessed at first hand the work of Sightsavers International and SEWA Rural clinic in just one small corner of the developing world I shall endeavour to give more time, energy and commitment to my fundraising activities in the future. My major objective is to make the Dublin Bus Pull bigger than ever and to make the people of Ireland more aware of the fantastic work being carried out by Sightsavers International in the developing world.

Christy Butler