We are reaching out today to invite you to partake in an extraordinary endeavor that has been transforming and saving lives for over two decades. United Sikh Mission (USM), a USA-based non-profit organization, is committed to bringing light to the eyes of thousands of underprivileged individuals across Punjab, India.
Since 2005, our unwavering commitment has resulted in 675 eye camps being organized. Each camp, organized with meticulous care and attention, follows a process that begins weeks in advance. Our teams start announcing in 10 villages per camp about the upcoming dates. On the day of the camp, volunteers provide transportation for elders to come to the camp. Once there, proper registration is done and doctor checkups are carried out to determine if patients require surgeries. If they do, they are cared for one to two nights at the local hospital. Those attending the Outpatient Department (OPD) are provided with necessary medicines and spectacles. We ensure everyone at the camp is cared for with food, tea, and snacks, and is sent back home with volunteers, especially the elders who don't have anyone to escort them back.
Through these camps, we have extended outpatient services and medication to over 367575 patients (OPT and Medicine), conducted 38,627 surgeries, and distributed 188,861 pairs of spectacles. These astounding numbers are a testament to our relentless efforts and the generous support of our donors.
As we prepare for our next wave of operations commencing for year 2025, we face the immense challenge of organizing 120 eye camps. Each camp can accommodate and serve between 500 and 1,000 patients, performing 50 surgeries and providing 350 spectacles per camp. The sheer scale of our plan is an endeavor that can be achieved with the invaluable support of our Sangat - the community.
Running each camp costs $3500 which includes surgeries, medicine and spectacles. Cost for an operation for each eye is $50. Donating any amount will go a long way in helping us achieve our goal and ensure that our eye camps run smoothly. Your support will mean hundreds more can have their sight restored and their lives changed forever.
The process of providing these critical services is more than just numbers. Each individual we help is a life changed, a bright future, a family uplifted. It is the transformation of despair into hope, darkness into light.
USM's work can be seen by clicking the following link: https://unitedsikhmission.org/silver-lining/
Please consider donating to United Sikh Mission today. With your support, we can illuminate thousands of lives with the gift of sight and hope.