Transforming Lives Through Vision Care: A Rotary Mission in Haiti

In the underserved rural villages of Haiti, a life-changing initiative is underway, spearheaded by Rotarian Dr. Anshu Chandra, an optometrist with a heart dedicated to service. Her journey began with a simple yet profound realization during her training in New York: the importance of giving back. Carrying this guiding principle, Dr. Chandra ventured to remote regions in India and eventually to Haiti, places where basic eye care is a luxury.



The mission in rural Haiti took root in 2010 when Dr. Chandra first visited the country. She was struck by the staggering needs of local communities, where people walked for miles and stood in line for days, going hungry, just to receive eye care. “The need was so tremendous…there was no eyecare present at all in this rural area,” recalls Dr. Chandra. This was the catalyst for her continued commitment to Haiti, transforming a temporary mission into a full-time endeavor.

In 2015, Dr. Chandra established a permanent eye clinic in Funde Blan, a southwestern Haitian village, equipped with stationary eye-care equipment and staffed by locally trained personnel. This facility replaced the temporarily imported portable equipment and now stands as a beacon of hope for countless individuals. “We have done over 120,000 eye exams and 6,000 procedures and lasers,” she shares, highlighting the scope of their impact.

Her work doesn't stop at examinations. Recognizing the urgent need for ongoing access to care, Dr. Chandra is focused on a sustainable model. The project has grown to entail training locals, screening 1,500 NICU-admitted babies annually to prevent blindness from conditions aggravated by oxygen treatment, and educating patients about eye diseases.

Dr. Chandra’s next goal is the construction of a dedicated stand-alone clinic that includes a surgical facility, optical laboratory, and eventually, a rehabilitation center for those with permanent vision loss. “The community said that we must keep this going,” she emphasizes, calling for public support to raise $300,000 needed for this endeavor.

As Dr. Chandra notes, “We're providing stationary care... from the simple, just needing a pair of glasses, to treating devastating glaucoma.” Her mission is testament to the transformative power of accessible healthcare, and her story affirms that professional expertise paired with a compassionate heart can indeed alter lives.

For those wanting to support this pivotal initiative, visit Global Eye Project to learn more or make a donation.

Dr. Anshu Chandra’s dedication exemplifies the essence of Rotary's motto, “Service Above Self,” and continues to light the path toward a brighter future for many in Haiti.

Listen to the full interview: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/xi904X2jeZb