With prior missions under his belt, he understood the challenges and opportunities that awaited him. Over 30 patients had been evaluated and deemed eligible for surgery, yet only five showed up on the day of operation. The reasons behind the no-shows remained elusive, highlighting the obstacles in accessing healthcare in the region. Despite this setback, Dr. Duong remained undeterred, focusing on the positive outcomes he could achieve. One such outcome was the transformation of an eight-year-old girl with Marfan syndrome – a genetic disorder affecting connective tissue. In her case, Marfan syndrome had led to severe vision impairment, hindering her ability to see clearly through both eyes. Through his and his team’s expertise, she received the surgery she desperately needed and left with clear vision, a tangible success story that, as Dr. Duong put it, “was worth the trip itself”.

However, Dr. Duong recognized that sustainable change required more than just individual surgeries; it necessitated building capacity within the local healthcare system. Sister Julie, Kalimoni Hospital’s administrator, had initiated an eye care program, but the lack of ophthalmologists posed a significant challenge. Dr. Duong saw an opportunity to contribute beyond his surgical skills by taking a sabbatical in order to remain in Kenya after our medical mission trip for an additional few months to train and empower the existing medical staff. His efforts to up-skill the incumbent ophthalmologist were cut short when the young ophthalmologist was dismissed, underscoring the fragility of the system. Despite this setback, Dr. Duong’s sabbatical became a catalyst for change, empowering healthcare assistants to take on expanded roles and bridging gaps in the provision of eye care.

His approach was hands-on and immersive, blending theoretical lectures with practical clinical experience. By working directly with the nurses and physician assistants in satellite clinics, Dr. Duong ensured that they not only understood the principles but could also apply them effectively in real-life situations. The impact was evident as they quickly grasped concepts like identifying red flags for conditions such as uveitis and recognizing symptoms of glaucoma.

Despite encountering logistical hurdles, such as a lack of technology and the need for extra effort to disseminate information, Dr. Duong remained steadfast in his commitment to knowledge transfer. His dedication was matched by the enthusiasm of the local healthcare workers, eager to enhance their skills and improve patient care.

Overall, the journey to Kenya was not just about performing surgeries but about laying the foundation for lasting impact, one that would continue to benefit the community long after our departure. Dr. Duong exemplifies the resilience and dedication needed to effect sustainable change in global healthcare. 

GES has forged a deep and meaningful connection with Vietnam, driven by our unwavering mission to deliver compassionate medical and surgical care. Since 2005, GES has conducted five dedicated surgical missions to various cities across Vietnam.

In addition to our direct medical interventions, GES has participated in the esteemed Imperial City Eye Meeting (ICEM) held in the historic city of Hue. Dr. Corboy introduced us to this week-long event in 2010, and since then we have also attended in 2012, 2014, and 2016. During these gatherings, the GES team has had the privilege of sharing our expertise through instructive lectures and surgical consults, empowering Vietnamese ophthalmologists with knowledge spanning all the specialities within the field of ophthalmology.

These encounters have solidified our commitment to Vietnam and our shared vision of creating sustainable impact. As we continue our journey, GES remains dedicated to serving the people of Vietnam, ensuring access to quality eye care and fostering local professional growth through collaborative exchanges.

Our work in the Philippines has been rewarding to say the least. Since 2010, we have made a total of 10 visits to the country and have had the privilege of providing a wide range of sight-restoring surgeries to those in need.

In 2018 alone, a remarkable 143 surgeries were performed over a two week period without any complications. In addition to performing surgeries, our team of professionals has conducted numerous ophthalmic lectures for physicians, internists and emergency room physicians, in an effort to build local capacity and empower communities.

We look forward to our continued partnership with the Philippines and these inspiring communities.

What started as a mission to combat blindness transformed into a collaborative effort to create sustainability by providing essential infrastructure and tools to amplify our impact.

The team’s passion for the country and her people led to significant developments in supporting local surgeons. Inspired by the life-changing story of a blind boy named Tomas, who regained his sight through surgery by a local physician, Dr. Loza Bicky, Dr. Jackson and the team realized the vital role of localized care for long-term success.

In 2021, GES made a monumental $50,000 donation of state-of-the-art cataract equipment and supplies. The donation of this single machine enables local surgeons to conduct thousands of surgeries, whereas our limited visits can only accommodate a few hundred.

Building on this success, GES continued its commitment in 2022, donating an additional $15,000 worth of equipment and establishing monthly sponsorships for local physicians. This ongoing support signifies the evolution of GES’s efforts from a gesture of love to a sustainable model of support for local surgeons. While this long-term approach may incur higher costs, it undeniably yields a more substantial and lasting impact.

Witness the impact of our initiatives, the lives touched, and the hope restored by exploring the extraordinary work we have accomplished within the communities we serve in Guatemala.

In 2022, our mission to Kenya was greeted with enthusiasm by Sister Julianna Moses and her dedicated staff. Our team was granted full access to the operating room and eye examination facilities, enabling us to deliver vital eye care services to those in need. Simultaneously, we embarked on training local medical personnel in basic eye care, equipping them with the skills to serve their communities more effectively.

This collaborative approach reflects our belief in building sustainable healthcare systems that go beyond immediate interventions.

While we remain dedicated to eye care, the team recognized an opportunity to extend their expertise and support to meet additional healthcare needs. Sister Julianna expressed her aspiration to expand the hospital’s services to include a NICU, a crucial resource for premature births. Answering this call, we welcomed Nina Marcellus, a passionate volunteer with specialized knowledge in NICU nursing and Nursing Education. Nina’s expertise proved invaluable as she provided consultations, impromptu lectures, and ongoing support to guide the establishment of the NICU. This unexpected collaboration exemplifies our commitment to holistic healthcare and its readiness to adapt to the evolving needs of the communities it serves.

Our team encountered unforeseen challenges during their mission, including missing supplies detained by customs in the country where they’d traveled for a  previous mission. However, undeterred by these obstacles, the team demonstrated resilience and determination. With the support of SEE International and other pharmaceutical organizations, they managed to acquire the necessary medications and successfully performed cataract operations on 15 patients. Our Kenya partners’ efforts to purchase additional medications further mitigated the supply shortage, ensuring that patients were not burdened with extra costs. This resilience exemplifies our unwavering commitment to making a positive and sustainable impact.

The 2022 Eye Mission to Kenya has left an indelible mark on the communities it served. By providing vision restoration surgeries, training local medical personnel, and supporting the development of a NICU, we have showcased our dedication to comprehensive and sustainable healthcare.

Estelle hails from the rural town of Lascahobas, Haiti. When the local farming community suffered from an economic downturn, Estelle migrated to New York and started working as a medical technician. When she returned to Haiti for a visit, she was struck by the destitute state of her community. Families struggled with malnutrition, children were plagued by worms, most couldn’t afford routine medical care or emergency treatment due to the long and relatively expensive journey to the nearest hospital.

It was then that Estelle decided to bring medical services to Lascahobas. She founded Friends of the Children of Lascahobas (FCLH), Haiti, an organization that provides healthcare, health education, and economic cooperative opportunities for the people of Lascahobas. When Estelle began recruiting American doctors to brave the trip to rural Haiti, she met ophthalmologist and philanthropist Dr. John Mitchell in New York. Estelle swiftly recruited him, and Dr. Mitchell became FCLH’s first Medical Director, providing steadfast support to the cause.

Years later, Dr. Mitchell brought his friend and colleague, Dr. Kenneth Westfield on board. As soon as Dr. Westfield saw the dire need in Lascahobas, he was committed to volunteering every year alongside like-minded colleagues, a commitment he’s maintained ever since. Eventually, the effort of these trips became our formal medical non-profit, Global Endowment for Sight.

It quickly became clear that what Lascahobas needed was a year-round healthcare facility. Patients who underwent life-changing surgeries and treatments lacked follow-up care, those in need at times when the doctors weren’t present suffered. So, FCLH and our team started planning for a facility where people could seek care, raising funds for its construction and materials. In 2003, the hospital was completed, providing not only care to the people of Lascahobas but also a training and hands-on experience for Haitian medical students and practitioners, supporting Haitians to end a long history of neglect.