Savynna is from Barbados and like many other 11 year olds is always full of energy and enjoys singing, dancing and playing sports. Despite continuously wearing her glasses, Savynna's strabismus (crossed eyes) wasn't getting any better.
As her eye condition worsened, she began getting bullied and being called names at school.
Fortunately, thanks to the generosity of our Partners in Sight — loyal supporters who donate monthly — enabling our Flying Eye Hospital project on her Caribbean island to go ahead, Savynna’s story has a happy ending.
Before surgery: Savynna experienced bullying because of her strabismus
While our program was underway, Dr. Rudy Wagner, a long-time Orbis volunteer doctor and specialist in pediatric strabismus, examined Savynna at our partner Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Bridgetown and later performed sight-saving surgery on our aircraft.
At the same time, Dr. Wagner was able to train several local doctors in the specialized technique and improve their surgical skills.
After surgery: Savynna's future looks bright now she can see better
After undergoing surgery, Savynna shared: “The girls and the boys used to call me ‘cross eyes’ but now they can’t because my eyes are straight!”
This young girl’s future is bright and filled with joy and she hopes to one day work in non-profits and help others in her country.
It's all thanks to kindness and generosity of supporters like you that Savynna could get the vision-restoring surgery she needed to live her life free from bullying.
The good news is our wonderful supporters can still make the remarkable transformations like Savynnas possible every single day.
You have the opportunity to join a special group of caring donors whose monthly support restores sight for more children in need every year — and even during uncertain times like the COVID-19 crisis.
In times like these, we're reminded of all the other children and adults who don’t have access to high-quality eye care — and struggle needlessly. That's why we want to give more children, parents and grandparents the chance to live their lives with clear vision, independence and dignity.
Already, their generosity has reached so many children around the globe, saving their sight and brightening their futures. On behalf of the children like Savynna who are still waiting to see, thank you for giving them the gift of sight.
Look at what amazing things our supporters have helped us achieve in 2019.
Every day, more people can see because of our family of supporters. Our work is strengthened by a community called Partners in Sight.
Through monthly gifts, loyal supporters just like you — help us reach more people in our fight against avoidable blindness — even during uncertain times like the COVID-19 crisis. Each Partner in Sight allows us to restore vision to more people like Savynna living in darkness every month.
And there’s never been a better time to deepen your commitment, because until August 31, your first monthly gift will be instantly matched three times.
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