When Fassikaw was in first grade, he began to have trouble seeing objects far away. Reading books and the blackboard became difficult. Sitting in the middle or back of the classroom, he often had to borrow his classmates’ exercise books to copy notes. 

At home, reading took him a long time. His eyes often watered, and his grades began to drop. More than his grades, his parents worried about his worsening vision and the way it was affecting his mood and sleep. Fassikaw even spoke about leaving school. 

Around this time, his family learned about our School Eye Health Program run in partnership with Partners in Education Ethiopia. The program offers free diagnosis and eyeglasses to students in need. 

After hearing this, his family went to the hospital and Fassikaw’s eyes were checked. At the hospital, tests revealed that Fassikaw’s vision required strong corrective lenses: +15.00 for his left eye and +16.00 for his right. Thanks to our partners and generous donors, he received the eyeglasses at no cost. 

Today, Fassikaw can read easily from anywhere in the classroom. At home, he reads without headaches or watery eyes. His grades have improved, and his class ranking has risen from 27^th to 21^st, with steady progress. 

His father says their son is now happy and confident, and the family can sleep without worry. “With God’s help, we hope you will never have to worry about anything,” he says with gratitude. 

Did you know?
Bringing eye health care to students is an investment in their education and their future. Globally, 450 million children have an eye condition that requires treatment; of these, 448 million have refractive errors that only require eye exams and eyeglasses (Source: IAPB Vision Atlas – Child Eye Health). The cost of eyeglasses in our countries of work is approximately C$20. 

By providing eyeglasses through school-based eye health programs, we can transform the lives of children like Fassikaw, helping them see clearly, succeed in school and embrace a brighter future. Give the Gift of Sight today.  

Our Work in Ethiopia 
Since beginning our work in Ethiopia in 2018, we’ve made significant strides toward preventing avoidable vision loss. In 2024, our programs reached more than 33,424 people through eye health screenings, treatment, training and community outreach. From surveying over 14,000 residents in Debre Work to training frontline workers and teachers, screening students and providing eyeglasses, we are building lasting capacity for quality eye care. Read more about our work in Ethiopia in our 2024 Annual Report. Download it here. 

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Although both are no longer with us, their legacy of giving continues today. When Gwendolen passed in 2020, she left our organization a generous gift in her will. It was a decision she and John, who passed away in 2019, had thoughtfully made together.

Born in Leicester in the United Kingdom in 1931, Gwendolen (or Gwen, to her friends) was known for her lively spirit and love of performing. She and John moved to Canada in 1957, settling in Vancouver where she became a mainstay in the area’s theatre scene, acting, singing and directing for various theatre companies, all while working full time at CIBC and later at the BC Children’s Hospital. One of her favourite roles was dressing up as Mrs. Claus, with John playing Santa, for the kids at Vancouver’s Ronald McDonald House.

“She liked to laugh, she liked to bring joy to people,” says Gwen’s close friend, Jane Marynowski. “And I think this whole thing about her charities that she was so attached to, was she knew she was bringing joy to other people’s lives. That was important to her.”

In her late sixties, Gwen took a trip to India to see some of our projects in person. She travelled with Marilyn Gullison, daughter of Dr. Ben Gullison, whose work in India inspired our founder Art Jenkyns to start Operation Eyesight.

Although she was already a world traveller, the trip had a profound effect on Gwen.

“I think she found travelling in India to be a little different than her usual travels,” says Jane, who heard a lot of stories about that trip from Gwen, even decades later. “I think that really strengthened this attitude of gratefulness that she had. What she saw over there really did have an impact.”

Today, Gwen and John continue to make their own impact on people across the globe with their generous final gift, which will help us prevent blindness and restore sight for years to come. We are grateful to Gwen and John for their thoughtful, loyal support over the years!

Have you ever considered making a donation in your will? Learn more about Legacy Giving.

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We love hearing from our donors and learning why and how they support Operation Eyesight. Many of our donors have struggled with poor vision in the past; they understand just how precious the gift of sight can be, and they’re dedicated to ensuring others can have their vision restored too.

Leila, from Toronto, ON, has been supporting Operation Eyesight for 20 years. She first read about our sight-saving work in the newspaper, where a photo of a blind bricklayer trying to support his children really tugged at her heartstrings. Wanting to do whatever she could to help, she began selling home-cooked lunches at her office every Friday, donating all proceeds to Operation Eyesight.

Leila, who has had bilateral cataract surgery herself, says, “There’s nothing like having your eyesight.”

“Operation Eyesight’s doing a good job,” she says. “Our donations are working for what they’re supposed to.”

James, from Calgary, AB, has also seen and experienced the effects of vision problems. His grandmother was diagnosed with cataracts in her 80s when surgery wasn’t feasible, and his grandfather suffered from glaucoma with no solutions available to him.

Years later, James and his late wife, Joan, both also ended up with cataracts. Fortunately, they were able to have surgery to restore their vision.

James, now 91 years old, has been supporting Operation Eyesight for over 30 years. He says he’s always admired the work of our founder, Art Jenkyns, and knows just how much of a difference we can make in the lives of others by restoring their sight.

Thank you, Leila and James, for giving the gift of sight others. And thank you for sharing your stories with us!

Tell us YOUR story! Contact us today.

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Don was a chaplain at the Canadian Forces Base in Kingston, Ontario. When the chapel was looking for a project to support, Don proposed they support Operation Eyesight because he believed in our work and valued our sustainable approach to working with communities. The Canadian Forces Protestant Chapels has donated a remarkable $800,000 since then!

“It just goes to show that one person in the right place at the right time can make an incredible difference,” says Don.

Don had the opportunity to meet both Dr. Ben and Art. He remembers the time Dr. Ben visited the chapel and attended Don’s sick aunt. “He was someone who obviously loved people,” says Don. “He was such a gentle and caring man.”

Don’s appreciation for our work deepened when he himself had cataract surgery. He remembers his awe at being able to see twigs on the trees again.

He says, “Operation Eyesight is doing excellent work and needs to be supported.”

We’d like to thank Don, Sylvia and the Canadian Forces Protestant Chapels for their generous support. Together, we continue to make an incredible difference in the lives of others!

Tell us your story! We’d love to hear how and why you support Operation Eyesight. Comment on our blog or email info@operationeyesight.com. We look forward to hearing from you!

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