In Australia, we often think of the islands of Fiji and Vanuatu as holiday paradises. But thousands of people in local communities across the Pacific living with blindness are often trapped in a cycle of poverty.

Blindness restricts more than sight. It restricts life. It restricts independence and prohibits meaningful employment. In developing countries it can cause an ongoing cycle of poverty that, without the restoration of sight, is near impossible to escape.

It’s an issue that affects individuals, families and community life. But more than anything blindness creates an overwhelming sense of loneliness.

Tragically for some people, blindness is irreversible. But for more than 70 percent of sufferers, it is reversible and often preventable. In many cases, a simple cataract operation to replace the crystalline lens of the eye can restore vision within days.

Through your support, UnitingWorld’s eye care programs, operating in partnership with the Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma and the Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu, can continue to respond to the urgent needs of people and communities suffering needlessly from blindness.

Watch the video on Fiji Eye Care

This includes:

• Providing access to quality eye health care to over 6000 people.
• Restoring sight to more than 400 people suffering from cataracts
• Issuing more than 2000 pairs of glassess to people with low vision

Please stand with our Church Partners in restoring sight – and life – to people living needlessly in blindness

Beni’s sight restored in three days

Beni Devi struggled with severe cataracts in both of her eyes for many years. The 40-year-old mother had never been able to clearly see the face of her two-year-old son.

“Beni had to be led into the clinic and led out again,” said Dr Jay Chandra, Vitreoretinal specialist on the Fiji eye care team.

“I could not allow her to continue like this for another year. It was simply beyond my conscience.”

UnitingWorld partnered with the local clinic in Fiji to restore sight – and life – to Beni.

Beni had a simple operation to remove a dense cataract in her left eye, and within three days her vision had improved dramatically. She was home again with her son.

Having her vision restored has impacted her whole family and has increased her chances of employment and capacity to contribute to the community.

Watch the video on Fiji Eye Care

Please stand with our Church Partners in restoring sight – and life – to people living needlessly in blindness

How you can help

How to donate

Click here to make a secure online donation On Step 2 of donating online, select Relief and Development, then select Restore Sight and Restore Life from the drop down menu.

Free call us on 1800 998 122 Please call +61 2 8267 4266 from outside Australia

Donate by mail – Click here to download a donation form, then print, complete as indicated and return to:

UnitingWorld – Relief and Development

Reply Paid A2266

South Sydney NSW 1235

No stamp required if posted within Australia. Please make all cheques payable to UnitingWorld.

Thank you for your support! Please note that gift of $2 and over are tax deductible and all gifts are gratefully received.

Should the funds raised exceed the amount required to meet the needs of this program, UnitingWorld will use the excess funds to support similar Relief and Development health care programs.