I’ll Take Seva Trivia for 1,000, Ken.

Posted on by Seva Foundation
Photo of Savitri Joshi by Joe Raffanti.

Get your buzzer finger ready as we play a game of Seva trivia. With 45-plus years, 20 countries, and 57 million people served, we’ve got some history! Test your arcane knowledge in our quiz on the programs, solutions, and people that help make the joy of transforming lives by restoring sight possible. 

Ready? Let’s get to it.

Continue reading →

Eye care & the gender gap. Let’s talk about it.

Posted on by Seva Foundation
Photo by Apurva Shroff: At 16 years of age, Arati (on the right with her mother) was diagnosed with diabetes, causing cataracts in both her eyes. After receiving a free cataract surgery she is considering going back to school and continuing her studies!

It’s 2024, and women are still struggling to access equitable health care. How is this? Supporters like you have asked us this question quite a few times and we’re glad you do – we appreciate the hard q’s.

The disparities we’re grappling with are centuries old. Economic barriers, gender politics, and social norms – to name a few – make it difficult for women in developing countries to access eye care. 

Seva has worked to untangle and address these challenges for 45 years. From hiring and training local women as eye care professionals who can contribute to the local economy, to gender-responsive outreach and policy advocacy, we work in more than 20 countries to empower and serve women.

Here are a few of the profound ways you are helping Seva to level the playing field for women and girls.

Continue reading →

This is how we do it.

Posted on by Seva Foundation
Foundacion Vision Mobile Vision Center in Peru.

Restoring sight looks different in every area. No two communities, geographies, or cultures are the same – we work closely with local partners to understand what prevents people from accessing eye care and what we can do about it. 

Vision Centers (VCs) are one way we achieve this. These local establishments are equipped to meet 80% of all eye care needs, and refer patients who require more specialized care to a partner hospital. In the past five years, through your support, we’ve established 139 VCs in remote areas of the world, creating life-changing access to eye care for millions along the way. Read below for four different types of VCs:

Continue reading →

525,600 minutes. 525,000 moments so clear.

Posted on by Kate Moynihan
Photo by Apurva Shroff: Before receiving a pair of eyeglasses, 10-year-old Arnav struggled with his schoolwork. With clear sight, he now performs at the top of his class and wants to be a doctor in the future.

Happy New Year!

The subject line references “Rent,” a Broadway musical that asks how you measure a life in a year. What can a talented and committed team of public health non-profit professionals accomplish in 365 days? Frankly – a lot. Over the past year, we’ve taken inventory of our collective efforts with Seva and partners, and I want to share a few highlights with you: 

Continue reading →