Please Forward Widely

_*Volunteer Abroad With Unite For Sight in Spring, Summer, Winter, or Fall
Make A Difference!*_

*What is Unite For Sight's Mission? *Unite For Sight
(www.uniteforsight.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that
empowers communities worldwide to improve eye health and eliminate
preventable blindness.
*
What Do Volunteers Do?: *The goal of Unite For Sight and its partner eye
clinics and communities is to create eye disease-free communities.
Unite For Sight's volunteers (local and visiting) work with partner eye
clinics to provide eye care in communities without previous access.
Visiting volunteers from North America range from undergraduate and
medical students, educators, nurses, and public health professionals to
optometrists and ophthalmologists. The eye clinic's eye doctors and
Unite For Sight volunteers jointly provide community-based screening
programs in rural villages. The clinic's eye doctors diagnose and treat
eye disease in the field, and surgical patients are brought to the eye
clinic for surgery. Patients receive free surgery funded by Unite For
Sight so that no patient remains blind due to lack of funds.
*
How Do I Apply? *The application as well as complete details about
Unite For Sight's international opportunities are available at
http://www.uniteforsight.org/intl_volunteer/ Programs fill quickly -
apply soon for summer positions!

*Unite For Sight Film Online:
*http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-424538484738181565&hl=en
<http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-424538484738181565&hl=en>*
*

*What Do Volunteers Say?: *

"I helped restore sight to children and their impoverished families
while working with the doctors Sinhas (Dr. Ajit Sinha, Dr. Satyajit
Sinha, and Dr. Pooja Sinha) at A.B. Eye Institute in Patna, Bihar. The
Sinhas and I worked from 9am to 10pm almost six full days a week. We saw
hundreds of patients---the Sinhas saw more patients in one day than many
ophthalmologists in the U.S. see in three weeks. We diagnosed all types
of eye diseases, prescribed and distributed eyeglasses I had collected
in California, and performed vision-restoring surgeries on patients who
had been suffering for years. While our job was not always easy, the
results were always rewarding. For the first time in my life, I felt
like I made an immediate and meaningful impact on peoples' lives.

Yet this medical work was only a small part of my journey through India.
Living with the Sinhas, I had the opportunity to experience what so few
foreigners ever see: the traditional life of a modern Indian family. I
didn't just travel to India, take a few pictures in front of a few
historic monuments, and write off my visit as complete. Instead, I got
to see part of the real India; I ate traditional meals with the family
and attended a Hindu wedding. I was a minority for the first time in my
life---the only white person in a sea of tanner faces. Having traveled
to a state where few foreigners visit, I was confronted daily by stares
and cultural blunders. Everyone I met, however, was more than happy to
help me understand my misconceptions. Never before have I felt so
isolated yet congruently welcomed. Like the contradictions evident in
India's very nature, I felt simultaneously productive and worthless,
significant and inconsequential. Ultimately, what I took away from this
experience was so much more than just an advanced understanding of
ophthalmology.

So I want to thank the organization Unite For Sight for helping get me
to India. I want to thank the Sinhas for warmly accepting me into their
home and work. And I want to thank the residents of India, and Patna
especially, for making my journey so magnificent. You welcomed me into
your country and allowed me a glimpse of its soul. Bohut
Dhanyavad."--Leigha Winters, Stanford University Student, Unite For
Sight Volunteer in Bihar, India

------------------------------------------------------------------------

*"*My learning experiences with Unite For Sight and Uma Eye Clinic are
priceless. I don't think I would have had the opportunity anywhere else
to perform phacoemulsification on a goat's eye, or to work with eye
doctors to examine patients for cataracts and refractive complications.
I came home with experiences that even medical students dream about. Uma
Eye Clinic provided the finest teachers and doctors that enhanced my
knowledge about ophthalmology. After each eye camp, about 5 patients
would travel back with us in the van for cataract surgery. We the
interns were able to participate in every step of the patient's
journey-the screening process, patient histories, preparation for the
surgery that included a myriad of clinical tests and a thorough analysis
of the eyes, the surgery process, and finally watching the patient's
reaction as he or she regained their vision.

I feel that I have grown tremendously over this past summer, not only in
the knowledge that I acquired from the physicians at Uma Eye Clinic, but
my interactions with people in the villages and children in the schools.
I am deeply indebted to Unite for Sight for giving me this opportunity
to volunteer and learn about international medicine and health
care."--Prachi Mayenkar, University of Missouri-Columbia BA/MD
Candidate, Unite for Sight Volunteer in Chennai, India
------------------------------------------------------------------------

"This experience literally changed my life. It was one of the most
amazing and rewarding experiences I have ever had. If given the chance,
I would do it all over again and for longer (maybe this experience is to
be continued..). I learned so much about Ghana and myself. I learned
that I would seriously like to consider optometry, especially so that I
could come back to places like Ghana and help develop the eye care
system (which lacks enough support). I am actually continuing my work as
an officer in the Unite for Sight Chapter on campus. I will never forget
this trip! You have no idea how much this memory means to me and what it
has inspired me to do and be!"--Hafeezah Omar, University of North
Carolina - Chapel Hill Student, Unite For Sight Volunteer in Accra, Ghana

------------------------------------------------------------------------

"The combination of an effective, rewarding volunteer program and
immersion into a fascinating culture makes Unite for Sight a wonderfully
unique program and is one that I would recommend to anyone looking to
make a significant impact for good in a developing area of the world.
It was a blessing to be able to provide these key services to people who
normally would have been unable to afford them. An invaluable and truly
touching aspect of the volunteer experience was the direct interaction I
was able to have with the many patients who came to our clinic. Their
genuine thankfulness for our help alone made this trip absolutely
worthwhile."--Patrick Grimm, Yale University Student, Unite For Sight
Volunteer in Patriensa, Ghana

------------------------------------------------------------------------
*What Do Eye Clinics Say?:* "So many people tell me to thank you and
your family each day for the help you have given by giving sight to the
poor. Our desire to serve and poor patients desire to see would not have
been possible without the help and support of Unite For Sight." --Dr.
Ajit Sinha, Director, A.B. Eye Institute; President, All India
Ophthalmological Society

"The question I have always asked myself is 'what would have happened to
all these people who have benefited from Unite For Sight programs had
the organization not come to their aid?' It is likely that many would
have perished in their agony."--Dr. James Clarke, Crystal Eye Clinic, Ghana

"I must say that Unite for Sight volunteers have come to give hope to
the people of Tamale and Northern Region, and all of us appreciate the
wonderful work these volunteers are doing for these poor and vulnerable
people who otherwise would not have access to quality eye care
services. We need you more than ever to be able to achieve the VISION
2020 goal of the Right to Sight for all by the year 2020."--Dr. Seth
Wanye, Eye Clinic of Tamale Teaching Hospital, Ghana

*What Programs Are Available?
*


Spring 2007


Africa

Accra, Ghana View details
<http://uniteforsight.org/intl_volunteer/intl_volunteer_details.php?period=May%2\
01-15;%20May%2015-30&place=Accra>
May 1-15; May 15-30
Asikuma, Ghana View details
<http://uniteforsight.org/intl_volunteer/intl_volunteer_details.php?period=March\
%2010-30&place=Asikuma>
March 10-30
Tamale, Ghana View details
<http://uniteforsight.org/intl_volunteer/intl_volunteer_details.php?period=Flexi\
ble%20Dates%20for%203%20weeks%20or%20more%20in%20February%20and%20March;%20April\
%2021-May%2021&place=Tamale>
Flexible Dates for 3 weeks or more in February and March; April
21-May 21


Asia

Chennai, India View details
<http://uniteforsight.org/intl_volunteer/intl_volunteer_details.php?period=Febru\
ary%2015-March%201;%20March%201-15;%20March%2015-30;%20April%201-15;%20April%201\
5-30;%20May%201-10;%20May%201-15;%20May%2015-30%20%28volunteers%20may%20particip\
ate%20in%20more%20than%201%20session%29&place=Chennai>
February 15-March 1; March 1-15; March 15-30; April 1-15; April
15-30; May 1-10; May 1-15; May 15-30 (volunteers may participate in
more than 1 session)
Jaipur, India View details
<http://uniteforsight.org/intl_volunteer/intl_volunteer_details.php?period=March\
%2010-20&place=Jaipur>
March 10-20
Patna, Bihar, India View details
<http://uniteforsight.org/intl_volunteer/intl_volunteer_details.php?period=March\
%2010-20;%20March%2024-April%201;%20Flexible%20Dates%20for%202%20weeks&place=Pat\
na,%20Bihar>
March 10-20; March 24-April 1; Flexible Dates for 2 weeks
Pondicherry, India View details
<http://uniteforsight.org/intl_volunteer/intl_volunteer_details.php?period=Flexi\
ble%20dates%20for%204%20weeks%20or%20more.&place=Pondicherry>
Flexible dates for 4 weeks or more.

------------------------------------------------------------------------


Summer 2007


Africa

Accra, Ghana View details
<http://uniteforsight.org/intl_volunteer/intl_volunteer_details.php?period=May%2\
01-15;%20May%2015-30;%20June%201-15;%20June%201-30;%20July%201-31;%20August%201-\
15;%20August%201-30;%20September%201-15;%20September%2015-30%20%28volunteers%20m\
ay%20participate%20in%20more%20than%201%20session%29&place=Accra>
May 1-15; May 15-30; June 1-15; June 1-30; July 1-31; August 1-15;
August 1-30; September 1-15; September 15-30 (volunteers may
participate in more than 1 session)
Asikuma, Ghana View details
<http://uniteforsight.org/intl_volunteer/intl_volunteer_details.php?period=June%\
201-30;%20July%201-31&place=Asikuma>
June 1-30; July 1-31
Patriensa Village in Asante Akim District, Ghana View details
<http://uniteforsight.org/intl_volunteer/intl_volunteer_details.php?period=May%2\
022-June%2022;%20July%2027-August%2025&place=Patriensa%20Village%20in%20Asante%2\
0Akim%20District>
May 22-June 22; July 27-August 25
Tamale, Ghana View details
<http://uniteforsight.org/intl_volunteer/intl_volunteer_details.php?period=May%2\
022%20-%20July%201;%20July%201%20-%20August%2018;%20August%2018%20-%20September%\
2015%20%28volunteers%20may%20participate%20in%20more%20than%201%20session%29&pla\
ce=Tamale>
May 22 - July 1; July 1 - August 18; August 18 - September 15
(volunteers may participate in more than 1 session)


Asia

Chennai, India View details
<http://uniteforsight.org/intl_volunteer/intl_volunteer_details.php?period=May%2\
01-30;%20May%201-10;%20May%2010%20-%20May%2030;%20June%201-30;%20July%201-31;%20\
August%201-15;%20August%2015-30%20%28volunteers%20may%20participate%20in%20more%\
20than%201%20session%29&place=Chennai>
May 1-30; May 1-10; May 10 - May 30; June 1-30; July 1-31; August
1-15; August 15-30 (volunteers may participate in more than 1 session)
Dhenkanal, Orissa, India View details
<http://uniteforsight.org/intl_volunteer/intl_volunteer_details.php?period=June%\
201-30;%20July%201-31;%20August%201-20%20%28volunteers%20may%20participate%20in%\
20more%20than%201%20session%29&place=Dhenkanal,%20Orissa>
June 1-30; July 1-31; August 1-20 (volunteers may participate in
more than 1 session)
Jaipur, India View details
<http://uniteforsight.org/intl_volunteer/intl_volunteer_details.php?period=Augus\
t%2015-30;%20September%201-15&place=Jaipur>
August 15-30; September 1-15
Jodhpur, India View details
<http://uniteforsight.org/intl_volunteer/intl_volunteer_details.php?period=July%\
201-August%201&place=Jodhpur>
July 1-August 1
Nellore, India View details
<http://uniteforsight.org/intl_volunteer/intl_volunteer_details.php?period=July%\
201-31&place=Nellore>
July 1-31
New Delhi, India View details
<http://uniteforsight.org/intl_volunteer/intl_volunteer_details.php?period=May%2\
01-30;%20June%201-30,%20July%201-31;%20August%201-25&place=New%20Delhi>
May 1-30; June 1-30, July 1-31; August 1-25
Patna, Bihar, India View details
<http://uniteforsight.org/intl_volunteer/intl_volunteer_details.php?period=May%2\
025%20-%20June%2010;%20July%201-10;%20July%2015%20-%2031;%20August%2010-20&place\
=Patna,%20Bihar>
May 25 - June 10; July 1-10; July 15 - 31; August 10-20
Pondicherry, India View details
<http://uniteforsight.org/intl_volunteer/intl_volunteer_details.php?period=Flexi\
ble%20dates%20for%204%20weeks%20or%20more.&place=Pondicherry>
Flexible dates for 4 weeks or more.
Western Thailand, Thailand View details
<http://uniteforsight.org/intl_volunteer/intl_volunteer_details.php?period=May%2\
020-July%201;%20July%201-August%2015Dates%20To%20Be%20Confirmed&place=Western%20\
Thailand>
May 20-July 1; July 1-August 15 Dates To Be Confirmed

------------------------------------------------------------------------


Fall 2007


Africa

Accra, Ghana View details
<http://uniteforsight.org/intl_volunteer/intl_volunteer_details.php?period=Septe\
mber%201-15;%20September%2015-30%20%28volunteers%20may%20participate%20in%20more\
%20than%201%20session%29&place=Accra>
September 1-15; September 15-30 (volunteers may participate in more
than 1 session)
Tamale, Ghana View details
<http://uniteforsight.org/intl_volunteer/intl_volunteer_details.php?period=Augus\
t%2018%20-%20September%2015;%20September%2015%20-%20October%2015&place=Tamale>
August 18 - September 15; September 15 - October 15


Asia

Chennai, India View details
<http://uniteforsight.org/intl_volunteer/intl_volunteer_details.php?period=Septe\
mber%201-15;%20September%2015-30;%20October%201-15;%20October%2015-31;%20Novembe\
r%201-15;%20November%2015-30%20%28volunteers%20may%20participate%20in%20more%20t\
han%201%20session%29&place=Chennai>
September 1-15; September 15-30; October 1-15; October 15-31;
November 1-15; November 15-30 (volunteers may participate in more
than 1 session)
Jodhpur, India View details
<http://uniteforsight.org/intl_volunteer/intl_volunteer_details.php?period=Septe\
mber%201-30,%20October%201-31;%20November%201-30&place=Jodhpur>
September 1-30, October 1-31; November 1-30
Patna, Bihar, India View details
<http://uniteforsight.org/intl_volunteer/intl_volunteer_details.php?period=Flexi\
ble%20Dates%20For%202%20Weeks&place=Patna,%20Bihar>
Flexible Dates For 2 Weeks

------------------------------------------------------------------------


Winter 2007


Africa

Tamale, Ghana View details
<http://uniteforsight.org/intl_volunteer/intl_volunteer_details.php?period=Decem\
ber%2015-January%2015&place=Tamale>
December 15-January 15


Asia

Chennai, India View details
<http://uniteforsight.org/intl_volunteer/intl_volunteer_details.php?period=Decem\
ber%201-30;%20December%2018-30;%20December%2028-January%2010;%20January%201-15;%\
20January%2015-30;%20February%201-28;%20March%201-30%20%28volunteers%20may%20par\
ticipate%20in%20more%20than%201%20session%29&place=Chennai>
December 1-30; December 18-30; December 28-January 10; January 1-15;
January 15-30; February 1-28; March 1-30 (volunteers may participate
in more than 1 session)
Jaipur, India View details
<http://uniteforsight.org/intl_volunteer/intl_volunteer_details.php?period=Decem\
ber%2028-January%2010&place=Jaipur>
December 28-January 10
Jodhpur, India View details
<http://uniteforsight.org/intl_volunteer/intl_volunteer_details.php?period=Decem\
ber%201-20;%20January%205-30&place=Jodhpur>
December 1-20; January 5-30
New Delhi, India View details
<http://uniteforsight.org/intl_volunteer/intl_volunteer_details.php?period=Decem\
ber%2015-January%2010&place=New%20Delhi>
December 15-January 10
Patna, Bihar, India View details
<http://uniteforsight.org/intl_volunteer/intl_volunteer_details.php?period=Decem\
ber%2028-January%2010&place=Patna,%20Bihar>
December 28-January 10



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