Care in the village

Symbiosis Bangladesh, in partnership with the Bangladesh Society for the Blind, has been conducting Eye Camps in village areas since 1995. The Camps have proved very successful in bringing to the villages a service normally only available to urban people.
Before running the Camps, Symbiosis staff raise awareness of the camps in the local area. By 10:00 AM on the morning of a camp many people are waiting quietly for the camp to commence. The first day is spent conducting eye examinations, treating those who can be treated and dispensing glasses.

The next day is spent conducting medical procedures. Cataracts are a major cause of blindness in Bangladesh and people suffering from them become unable to contribute to normal family life and, often, families find it difficult to look after them. The simple procedure of replacing the lens brings about a renewed ability to once more contribute to the family and the community. The blind literally can see.

Symbiosis International presently conducts more than 10 Eye Camps each year in its working areas and in other areas when requested by the Bangladesh Government. In conjunction with the Eye Camps, Symbiosis often runs Dental Camps where the effects of increased sugar use in modern society are now readily seen.
These camps not only offer an important service at the village level but they also powerfully communicate the message that the poor of Bangladesh are not a forgotten people.

Providing a service For the Community

Empowering the poor of Bangladesh
Symbiosis Bangladesh was established in 1995 and is now serving the nation’s poor and disempowered people through 23 separate projects in 9 districts of the country.
The programs offered include Integrated Rural Development Projects, Arsenic Mitigation, Eye Camps, Dental Camps, Eye Disease Prevention, Technical Skill Training, Social Justice and Gender Equality and Marginalized Community Empowerment.
Through the rural integrated programs it has become apparent that basic services and training need to be delivered where the people live.
Providing Eye and Dental Camps in the villages has been warmly received by the local people whose quality of life has been wonderfully improved by the services that are offered.

Restoring Sight: The Eye Camps