A snapshot into the life of an INGO worker

Working for an INGO gives job satisfaction a whole new meaning. Knowing that you are contributing towards the greater good and helping people gives an unbelievable sense of fulfilment. And working for a charity like The Fred Hollows Foundation offers many moments of magic when you get to see someone have their sight restored.

COVER PHOTO: Mary Tran (2018)

One of the things I love the most about my role at The Fred Hollows Foundation is when I get a chance to accompany patients on their journey to having their sight restored. I get to speak with the patients and listen to their hopes and dreams, and document the outcome of their story if they want it shared. 

It’s always a magic moment to witness someone blind from avoidable causes see again. Anticipation, joy, and relief fill the room when a patient’s eye patches are removed after surgery.

These are the moments we share with our supporters so they can see the impact their generosity is having, and how they are contributing to end avoidable blindness.
 
I consider myself lucky that I’m able to see these momentous occasions firsthand, as someone gets their sight back. I also love meeting the people who make these moments happen – the doctors, nurses, and eye health workers. 

Eye health in Lao PDR: stories from the field

During one of my first trips for The Foundation, I traveled to Lao PDR, where The Foundation has been working for more than a decade now.

I was accompanied by ophthalmologist Dr Phetsamone Indara, ophthalmic nurses Khamtan and Santoula, and seasoned videographer for the ABC, Les Seymour. During the course of one week, we went to northern Lao PDR to visit former patients and check their progress, as well as to run an eye camp in a remote Laotian village that doesn’t have basic eye health services. 

Situated in the interior of Southeast Asia, Lao PDR is a landlocked country of seven million people. Although it has seen economic growth in the past few years, many Laotians still lack access to quality health services including eye care. To date, the whole country only has 30 eye doctors.

The following is an account of some of the magic moments we encountered along the way. 

Double the joy: Samlan and Sintham

More than five years ago in the province of Luang Namtha, The Foundation met its youngest patients ever – twin boys Samlan and Sintham who were born with cataract in both eyes. Renowned journalist Ray Martin visited them when they had their first eye surgery at just seven months old.
 

Years had passed and we were curious to see what the twins were up to. The trip to their village was long and arduous. We spent almost two days just to reach them - traversing dusty roads, braving choppy rivers, and hiking on muddy slopes. 

With heavy equipment on our shoulders and the heat of the sun beating down on us, we were already exhausted by the time we reached the village school. But we were immediately energised as we saw Samlan and Sintham – not babies anymore – waiting for us in their school uniforms.

Dr Phetsamone gave the twins a routine eye test and the results were good. The brothers spent the rest of the afternoon running around and playing with us. The boys were full of energy, and I still couldn’t believe how little and lost they’d seemed a few years back. Had they not been found early, they could have been blind for life, and they wouldn’t be in school now, but luckily that wasn’t the case.

As night fell, we were invited to a baci – a Lao tradition to celebrate the successful outcome of the boys. Each villager approached us and uttered prayers of thanks and intentions of goodwill as they tied a white string around our wrists. By the end of the ceremony, we had thick prayer bracelets, and our hearts were filled with gratitude.

It was difficult when it was time to leave the twins. As our boat left their shores, the twins cried profusely – they were sad to see their new friends go and we felt the same, but were happy in the knowledge that Samlan and Sinthan now had the best possible chance in life. 

When there's no magic moment: Hao

We had another amazing encounter with the young boy Hao from Oudomxay province. Born with cataract in both eyes, Hao had his surgery when he was just five years old. 
 

There was no “magic moment” for Hao at that time. When his eye patches were removed after his surgery, he struggled to walk and didn’t even recognise his father. He was still unable to see, and everyone thought the surgery was unsuccessful.
 
But after a few weeks, news came that Hao was able to see again. Because he suffered from cataract for a very long time, his brain needed more time to learn how to process visual information. It was a moment of relief for everyone.

 

We saw a complete transformation when we visited Hao a few years later. Clothed in bright orange garment, Hao is now a 13-year-old trainee monk serving his village. He also attends school, where he consistently achieves high marks.

Hao was so little when he had his surgery that he didn’t even recognise Dr Phetsamone. After a few minutes, he finally remembered the doctor that had restored his vision.

The results of his eye check were remarkable. Dr Phetsamone says it is one of the most successful outcomes he has ever seen.
 
While Hao had no ‘magic moment,’ his restored vision set him up for a lifetime of independence.

No place too remote

The second part of the trip was the most challenging. We embarked on a mission to bring an eye camp to Nam Ngeun, a remote village in Oudomxay’s Namor district.

The village was so remote that we relied on the kindness of the villagers to let us sleep in their houses. We caught our food with them, ate with them, and shared our stories with them.

We often romanticise the simple life, but it’s easy to forget that for many people around the world, a ‘simple’ life also means not having access to proper health care. The village of Nam Ngeun didn’t have access to a permanent hospital – they relied on these mobile clinics that visit them a few times a year.

More than 30 people visited the eye camp, and six of them went through an eye operation. Some of them lived further away from Nam Ngeun. They didn’t want to miss their chance at seeing an eye doctor, even if it meant hours of travel.

Beyond moments: a lifetime of commitment

In this trip, I encountered more than just the magic moments I was looking for. 

I met people like Dr Phetsamone and ophthalmic nurses Santoula and Khamtan, who dedicate their entire lives to a great mission in serving others. They roll up their sleeves to make lasting change and travel through the harshest terrain to reach the unreachable. They spend time away from their families so the lives of others can improve. They work tirelessly with the government so that eye health becomes a priority. It often takes years of patience, grit, and commitment to see great results, but they all lead up to the magic moments that inspire all of us.

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