SEE International recently joined forces with Sights on Health and FIBUSPAM Hospital in Riobamba, Ecuador, to provide life-changing care to communities in need. Over the course of a week, a dedicated team of ophthalmologists, physicians, volunteers, and a pediatrician delivered critical medical and surgical services to patients from both urban and remote villages.
Thanks to our partnership with Dr. Debra Messina, an ophthalmologist and the president of Sights on Health, SEE played a vital role in supplying the equipment and support needed to perform 91 cataract surgeries, surpassing the team’s original goal.
SEE’s Education & International Programs Coordinator, Gina Fernandez, also traveled to Ecuador for the program. While supporting the clinical team, she had the opportunity to interview patients and physicians, gathering firsthand stories that illustrated the impact of restored sight on individuals and their families.
Christian Rediscovers His Passion
One of the many patients who received care during this program was Christian, a 26-year-old who had lost his sight during the pandemic after years of gradual decline. Christian’s mother, recently widowed and the sole caregiver for him and his younger brother, pleaded for surgery on both his eyes, desperate to restore his independence and ability to work.
The medical team initially prioritized one eye, and Christian returned later in the week for surgery on the second. The change was remarkable. Once timid and withdrawn, Christian arrived for his second procedure with confidence and joy, engaged, smiling, and eager to share. In an interview, he quietly revealed that he held a degree in graphic design but had been unable to use it due to his vision loss.
“Now, I get to work in my field. I get to help my family,” said Christian. Gina reflected on Christian’s story, saying, “It gave him the freedom to dream again, and the freedom to chase that dream.”
With his sight restored, Christian can now pursue a career that not only enables him to help support his family but also brings him a deep sense of fulfillment, because it’s something he’s genuinely passionate about. Opportunities like this are life-changing, particularly in communities where access to healthcare, education, or career advancement is limited. Too often, individuals are held back from pursuing an education and considering a career they would be passionate about. But with the gift of sight, Christain can now use his education to succeed in his career of choice.
Newfound hope for Jesus and William
Another unforgettable story features Jesus and William, two young cousins who had their sight restored together. Jesus, once blinded by a childhood injury, had to stop attending school at just 13 years old, as his lack of eyesight made it unsafe for him. After waiting more than a year for surgery, he finally had his sight restored, as well as his hope to return to school.
Renewed hope also followed William’s sight-restoring surgery. At only nine years old, William’s case was previously considered borderline and therefore not prioritized for surgery. But on the surgical teams’ final day of performing surgeries, William was carefully reevaluated under anesthesia. To everyone’s joy, Dr. Michael Sable determined his condition was operable. The surgical team sprang into action, and William’s surgery was a success. For the first time in his life, he could see the world clearly.
Dr. Michael Sable’s Humanitarian Work
Dr. Sable reflected on his experience with this humanitarian work, encouraging other ophthalmologists to do it as well:
“I tell all my colleagues that at some point in their career, they have to do this at least once. Usually, if you do it once, you’ll want to do it again. It’s a very different experience, helping people who aren’t expecting care, unlike patients [in the U.S.] who expect it,” he said.
“The gratitude is different because these people wouldn’t get help if you weren’t there. Giving someone back their vision, and the ability to be productive and support their families, is a reward that’s indescribable,” he added.
We are so grateful to our volunteer doctors who use their time and expertise to help those who would otherwise be unable to access care.
Gina’s Experience in Ecuador
This mission also speaks to the dedication of SEE International staff like Gina Fernandez, our Education & International Programs Coordinator, who joined the team in Ecuador to support the program on-site. Beyond assisting with logistics, Gina helped bring patient stories to light, capturing the voices and experiences that truly demonstrate the impact of restored vision.
“I was so grateful to join the Ecuador program this past May. Having worked with this team in previous years, I was excited to finally witness our efforts in the field. What I wasn’t prepared for was the deep personal impact the experience would have on me,” she said.
“Being there in person, connecting with the patients, witnessing their courage, and working alongside the dedicated host and traveling team was profoundly moving. You go in hoping to help restore vision, but in the process, something within you is healed too. It was a powerful reminder of the life-changing nature of this work and the second chance at life it brings to so many in need,” added Gina.
Thank you to our incredible staff, partners, and generous supporters who make this work possible. Together, we’re creating a visibly brighter future.
